Biden’s Broadband Billions—Part Two

Over a year ago, President Biden allocated $100 billion to broadband infrastructure as part of his American Jobs Plan. More recently, as part of the Internet for All Act, the federal government is putting forth another $65 billion to ensure equitable internet access across the country.

Across the country, the federal government, state governments, community organizations like NYC Mesh, and even corporations like Comcast are working to provide affordable broadband access through grant-based funding, physical infrastructure, and corporate social responsibility-motivated price reductions. The Internet for All Act is an example of federal government-backed grant funding, distributing their $65 billion allocation to states, who then fund NGOs (non-governmental organizations) working in the broadband access space. They will focus on groups not only building infrastructure but also those promoting broadband adoption in low-income communities, researching the communities which need this help most and training internet technicians who maintain new networks.

For state governments and in-state organizations to access these grants, the states themselves must commit themselves to the goal of equitable broadband access within their borders and draw up a plan of where to distribute allocated funds. Since the Internet for All Act was announced this May, every eligible state and territory has signed on. This achievement both demonstrates the national unity behind the push for equitable broadband access and provides hope for the 20% of households currently lacking high-speed internet.

So, why is access to the internet—both broadband and the required devices—important enough for the federal government to allocate $165 billion to the cause over two years? Well, the Internet for All Act’s site describes benefits for education, the economy, and health. I tend to agree with these claims and have even written previous blog posts on the topics.

Regarding education, the importance of home internet access is clear. Students use technology to complete research, homework assignments, and, importantly, to apply to colleges and trade schools. Higher education is a critical tool for breaking cyclical poverty, yet the digital divide stands in the way. Moreover, as I explain in my post, “Why is Technology So Important in Early Childhood Education?,” technology is also key to driving interest in education from a young age, developing digital literacy, and assisting dual language and disabled learners.

Broadband also benefits the national economy by allowing US-based small businesses to compete globally. High-speed internet connects employers and workers from across the country and is even more necessary if small and medium enterprises hope to compete in today’s global online marketplace.

Finally, looking at health, refer to our most recent post, “More Accessible Medicine? Telehealth’s Future Relies on Bridging the Digital Divide.” While telehealth requires internet access, it has the opportunity to ensure fast access to general physicians and medical specialists for even the most remote communities. Early diagnoses save lives, and online visits are also cheaper than in-person alternatives.

With an almost seven trillion dollar budget in the 2021 fiscal year, it is only right that some of the federal government’s dollars go towards the infrastructure that holds up our modern world. Broadband carries with it the benefits for the educational system, small businesses, and healthcare mentioned above, but even with an affordable high-speed internet connection, members of low-income communities still need in-home devices to harness it. Fortunately, joint efforts can solve this problem. If the federal, state, and local governments already providing broadband can collaborate with manufacturers, school districts, and nonprofit organizations with the means to produce and distribute low-cost devices, a bridge for the digital divide will soon follow.