Digital distress areas have a harder time using and leveraging the internet to improve their quality of life due to the type of internet subscription or devices owned. Broadband infrastructure is only part of the equation when it comes to digital exclusion, the number one threat to community economic development in the 21st century. Digital inclusion refers to “the adoption of broadband technologies and its meaningful use for social and economic benefits”. So, in addition to broadband infrastructure, it is worth looking at types of electronic devices owned and internet subscriptions that can augment or undermine the meaningful use of broadband for social and economic benefits. Learn more about digital distress.