The following is a recap summarizing presentations delivered to the Kansas City Coalition for Digital Inclusion on May 16, 2025. Speakers included Shaikh Ferdaus of Mission Telecom; Dr. Hyunjin Seo, Director of the KU Center for Digital Inclusion; and Diane Wicklund, Jay Leipzig, and Sean Pendley from Johnson County Government.
Mission Telecom: Nonprofit Wireless Broadband for Underserved Communities
Mission Telecom is a nonprofit wireless broadband provider that uses leased access to T-Mobile’s 5G network to deliver affordable internet to underserved communities. Originally launched as an educational broadcasting foundation in the 1980s, the organization now operates nationally through FCC-held spectrum licenses.
Rather than serving households directly, Mission Telecom partners with schools, libraries, and nonprofit organizations to distribute broadband through mobile hotspots and fixed wireless services. The organization offers a single unlimited data plan with no throttling. The standard price is around $20 per month, but project-specific pricing may be lower to meet community needs.
Royalties and surplus revenue are reinvested into grantmaking that supports digital equity, telecom justice, and civic engagement. Partnerships with groups like ComputeOpt, which combines refurbished devices with broadband access, and Project Waves, which acts as a community reseller, help expand their reach. Mission Telecom’s model is designed for flexibility and scalability, making it a strong fit for community-driven broadband efforts.
KU Center for Digital Inclusion: Teaching AI Literacy to Justice-Impacted Women
Dr. Hyunjin Seo outlined the KU Center for Digital Inclusion’s educational efforts for women who are currently or formerly incarcerated. Supported by local and national funders, the program delivers a 13-phase digital literacy curriculum in both correctional and community settings. The course content covers everything from job readiness to emerging technology.
A recent addition to the curriculum is a module focused on artificial intelligence. This module helps learners understand how generative AI tools work, how misinformation can be spread through AI-generated images and voices, and how to critically evaluate digital content. Participants also explore the ethical use of AI and how to disclose AI-assisted work transparently.
Hands-on learning, including the use of reverse image search and real-world case studies, supports digital confidence and critical thinking. The program uses a participatory approach that centers the experiences and needs of justice-impacted women.
Johnson County: Broadband and Digital Access Planning in Action
Representatives from Johnson County presented their Broadband and Digital Access Plan, created in partnership with KC Digital Drive. While the county is often considered affluent, the planning process identified significant gaps in broadband access, particularly in rural and southeastern parts of the county.
The plan includes detailed mapping, community engagement, and a set of clear implementation steps. These include launching a broadband information webpage, working with internet service providers, hosting device donation drives, and updating subdivision regulations to treat broadband as a required utility. Long-term goals include regional collaboration and making internet access more affordable for all residents.
Johnson County’s approach aims to treat broadband as essential infrastructure, similar to electricity or water, and ensure that every household and business can connect reliably.
Key Takeaway: Infrastructure, Literacy, and Collaboration Are All Essential
The meeting reinforced that broadband access is only one part of the solution. Community-driven planning, digital literacy programs, and trusted partnerships are also critical. As federal funding landscapes shift, local collaboration remains the key to sustainable digital inclusion.
Want to get involved?
Visit digitalinclusionkc.org to learn more about, sign up for updates, or watch past meeting recordings.