Digital Communities

About Digital Communities

The reach and benefits of the internet remain limited in many developing countries and underserved populations due to remote locations, limited infrastructure, high up-front costs, power outages, and educational and geographic barriers.

American Tower is helping to overcome these hurdles and provide greater access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) through our Digital Communities program.

Located at or near the base of an American Tower site, Digital Communities are places where people of all ages gain access to the internet through digital devices, educator-led instruction and self-guided kiosks. Based on local needs, Digital Communities provide educational, healthcare, financial and career development services with an aim to improve quality of life through connectivity.

Members of the local community can use these Digital Communities to access the internet and complete ICT training. By supporting connectivity worldwide, focusing on economically disadvantaged or underserved communities, promoting digital literacy and increasing employability through education, Digital Communities contribute to a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

Mission

We are committed to improving the quality of life for communities that are economically disadvantaged or underserved by supporting connectivity worldwide, with a primary focus on education, including promoting digital literacy and increased employability. American Tower seeks to collaborate with partners to help with this effort, as well as other essential services, such as healthcare and financial inclusion.

A Digital Community is successful through strategic partnerships with corporations, nonprofits, NGOs and other trusted partners—we are actively seeking partners, see contact information below to learn more.

Each Digital Community focuses on one or more of the following areas:

Goal

American Tower seeks to build 2,000 Digital Communities across our global footprint over the next five years.

Current Status

American Tower and our partners have launched more than 300 Digital Communities serving approximately 200,000 people across 8 countries – Chile, Colombia, Ghana, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Perú and Uganda.

History of the Program

In 2012, the American Tower team in India was seeking to harness the uninterrupted power and internet connectivity at tower sites to help surrounding communities. With this idea, Digital Communities was launched in India, and from there it has grown:

Components of a Digital Community

Digital Communities are computer-equipped learning centers that use the uninterrupted power supply and broadband connection from communication sites to enable internet access and provide local communities with classroom instruction, healthcare access and training in ICTs.

World Economic Forum and the EDISON Alliance

In January 2020, the World Economic Forum launched the EDISON Alliance to mobilize a global movement to prioritize digital inclusion as foundational to the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and a cross-sector platform to accelerate collaborative action.

The Alliance aims to catalyze projects and partnerships around the world to provide connectivity and digital services to remote, rural and underprivileged populations. One of the fundamental needs to achieve the goals of the Alliance is to build the necessary connectivity infrastructure—cell towers, satellites, Wi-Fi or other technologies—and is in line with the Digital Communities program’s goals.

Future Plans for Digital Communities

American Tower has committed to support the EDISON Alliance through the Digital Communities program and is working with sponsors to pilot new models for providing essential infrastructure across our international markets and the United States.

We are currently seeking partners to meet our ambitious goals. We are looking for corporate and nonprofit partners to supply critical devices, equipment and content services to bring Digital Communities online. As a global provider of wireless communications infrastructure, we provide the infrastructure that supports connectivity. We need participant devices to access the internet, connectivity equipment to provide fronthaul and backhaul, alternative power and backup power, and content providers within the four focus areas.

For more information, contact us at digitalcommunities@americantower.com.