Student Competition Features Innovative Plans to Close the Digital Divide
MAMARONECK, NY — A Pace University Lubin School of Business student team has won
the Fall 2023 Interactive Case Competition: Broadband Equity Challenge to promote
broadband for all. The six-member team took home a first-place prize of $5,000 by
presenting a strategic plan to increase broadband adoption among those with
disabilities and special needs.
The competition, produced and hosted by media & technology educator Craig Leddy,
President of Interactive TV Works, Inc., featured six teams of MBA (Master of Business
Administration) students presenting innovative plans to boost broadband sign-ups
among various U.S. demographic groups. During a virtual event on November 16, a Judges panel of industry leaders watched the team presentations and chose the winner.
“Engaging in the Broadband Equity Challenge helped us bring our focus to the glaring
disparity in digital adaptability between individuals with and without accessibility
needs,” said Aditi Bhardwaj, leader of the Pace2 Team. “I enjoyed working with a team
that shared the same passion to find effective solutions.”
Noting a lower rate of Internet adoption among those with disabilities, the team
presented a multifaceted campaign under the banner of “One Line for All.” The team
was coached by a mentor company, Amdocs, a leading global technology supplier.
Judge Larry Irving, an early advocate for closing the Digital Divide and the current
chairman of PBS, told the Pace team, “I want to commend you for thinking about a
group that way too often in society is underrepresented. Folks with disabilities will
benefit from having these technologies. It allows people with disabilities to be full
participants in our society.”
In addition to Pace2, student competitors included a second Pace University team, New
York University, Drexel University, and two University of Miami teams. The online
audience voted for Drexel as the winner of the Audience Choice Award for the team’s plan
to encourage broadband adoption among senior citizens.
“You are the future of the business,” said Howard Horowitz, a judge and president of
Horowitz Associates & GM Insight Loft. “This makes me optimistic about the future of
the business of broadband with great analysts like you coming into the fold.”
Dan Whalen, a judge and president & CEO of ATX Networks, commended the teams for
their “very thought-provoking” plans. “The world’s going to need more ambassadors like
you out there. We need to find better ways to get more broadband to everybody and
then start enabling applications that will make their lives better,” he said.
In addition to Amdocs, mentor sponsor companies included Optimum, Breezeline, ATX
Networks and Spectrum Enterprise. Additional Interactive Case Competition program
sponsors include Charter Communications (Spectrum), Mediacom Communications,
NCTA - The Internet & Television Association, Power & Tel, CableFax and The Cable
Center. Supporting Organizations include: the Cable & Telecommunications Association
for Marketing (CTAM), C2HR, Future Now Media Foundation, and Silicon Harlem.
Contacts: Craig Leddy, Interactive TV Works, cleddy@interactivetvworks.com, 914-310-6831;
Wanita Niehaus, PowerHaus Consultants, wanita.niehaus@gmail.com, 202-643-2765
About Interactive TV Works, Inc. and Interactive Case Competition
Interactive TV Works, Inc. is an independent consultancy dedicated to promoting an understanding of advanced media technologies and services. Based outside of New York City, its signature event is the twice-annual Interactive Case Competition.