学生挤在停车场，试图连接到Wi-Fi下载作业。

Older adults without computers or smart phones to book vaccination appointments online.

Governments unable to provide access to services by mobile app to citizens who need it most.

这些不是虚构的场景；对于全球数十亿人来说，它们是现实。

随着Covid-19的结果，随着世界变得更加数字化 - 几乎一夜之间，“ Haves”和“ Hot-Nots”之间的鸿沟加剧了。大流行将这个关键问题带到了全球关于恢复工作的全球对话的最前沿，因为这些故事被讲述并在世界各地讲述。

我是一名工程师，并且在我们的核心方面，工程师希望修理问题。但是在这种情况下，已经解决了技术问题。我们今天需要的工具存在，但是数字鸿沟正在恶化。我们尚未解决的问题是平等差距。

作为父亲，我对数字鸿沟在发达国家和发展中国家之间的普遍性蔓延感到震惊。我们尚不了解大流行的全部影响，尤其是对我们的年轻人的影响。许多人由于大流行而面临不便或破坏。其他人则完全被排除在这种新的数字经济中，并且可能永远不会赶上。

I am incredibly proud and humbled by our team members across the company who saw connectivity needs and other disparities in their communities and took action. One of the pillars of our culture is “We believe in being a force for good,” and I cannot think of a better, more selfless tribute to our heritage than addressing this desperate need when the world needed it most.

我们团队在大流行初期支持数字访问的一种独特方式是为在家中连接有限的儿童提供免费的Wi-Fi解决方案，以确保他们可以访问在线远程学习资源。一个例子证明我们社区中需求的幅度的例子是HPE与圣安东尼奥马刺队和AT＆T的合作伙伴关系，其中涉及将整个马刺体育场停车场转换为免费的Wi-Fi热点。

When the state of Arkansas shut down due to COVID-19, Bentonville Schools had one business day to move 18,000 students and 1,200 teachers to virtual learning. Days later, a photo emerged of students outside of school on a cold, rainy day because their families didn’t have internet access. Our local team sprang into action and transformed the school parking lot into a Wi-Fi hotspot for students, teachers, families, and community members.

我还发现了其他一直在努力解决数字鸿沟的组织的灵感。

Land O’Lakes长期以来，一直致力于将高速互联网带到美国的农村地区。根据美国农业部的数据，25％的美国农场无法使用互联网。作为美国最大的农民拥有的合作社之一，土地奥莱克斯（Land O’Lakes）亲眼目睹了城乡技术的社会和经济影响。他们不懈地努力消除农民的障碍，最近成立了American Connection Project Broadband Coalition (ACPBC), which advocates for public- and private-sector investment to bring high-speed connectivity to rural areas.

将连接视为基本服务是解决问题的巨大挑战，并且需要令人难以置信的愿景和协作。近几个月来，国会的民主党人和共和党人都表达了对宽带连通性倡议的大量投资，以达到所遗留下来的城市和农村地区，我对可能推动美国社区的影响感到乐观。

实施长期无处不在的连接解决方​​案是为所有人参与数字经济的平等地位的第一步。下一步是解决全球组织的更广泛的数字基础设施差距。聪明的非洲, an alliance that includes 30 African countries that represent 700+ million people, is creating a digital infrastructure that helps remove barriers and improve access to digital services for citizens. The alliance is applying the latest technology to facilitate knowledge sharing, citizen engagement, and economic development. I believe this will serve as a model for other organizations and governments as we continue to push for equality and progress.

今天存在的数字访问差距是不可接受的。我们无力只有特权成员加入数字经济。必须允许每个人参加并繁荣。但是，我对技术，独特的合作以及对继续使我们的世界变得更好的热情个人的创新应用感到乐观。

The COVID-19 crisis was the catalyst for rapid change, and it presents the opportunity for us to collectively shift priorities, refocus on what matters, and accelerate to a brighter future.