The digital divide is a serious and persistent problem in the United States. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), more than 14 million Americans lack access to broadband internet service, and another 25 million have access only to low-speed or unreliable service. These numbers are even higher for rural, low-income, and minority communities, who face additional barriers such as affordability, availability, and digital literacy.
The lack of high-speed internet access has profound consequences for individuals and society. It limits opportunities for education, employment, health care, civic engagement, and social connection. It exacerbates existing inequalities and creates new ones. It hinders economic growth and innovation. It undermines our democracy and national security.
That is why we propose a bold and comprehensive plan to bridge the digital divide and ensure that every American has access to high-speed internet service. Our plan would invest $90 billion over 10 years in expanding broadband infrastructure, subsidizing service costs for low-income households, supporting digital inclusion programs, and promoting competition and consumer protection in the broadband market.
Our plan is based on the following principles:
- Universal service: Every American should have access to affordable, reliable, and high-quality broadband service, regardless of their location, income, or background.
- Equity and inclusion: We should prioritize the needs of historically underserved and marginalized communities, such as rural areas, tribal lands, low-income neighborhoods, and people of color.
- Innovation and competition: We should foster a diverse and dynamic broadband ecosystem that encourages innovation, competition, and consumer choice.
- Accountability and transparency: We should ensure that public funds are spent efficiently and effectively, and that broadband providers are held accountable for their performance and practices.
Here are some of the key features of our plan:
- We would allocate $60 billion to the FCC to fund grants for states, localities, tribes, nonprofits, cooperatives, and other entities to build out broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas. These grants would require recipients to offer at least one affordable service option to low-income customers, adhere to net neutrality rules, and report on their network quality and coverage.
- We would allocate $20 billion to the FCC to establish a permanent broadband benefit program that would provide monthly subsidies of up to $50 for low-income households to purchase broadband service from any eligible provider. This program would replace the temporary Emergency Broadband Benefit program that was created by the COVID-19 relief legislation.
- We would allocate $10 billion to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to support digital inclusion initiatives that aim to increase broadband adoption and use among underserved populations. These initiatives would include digital literacy training, device distribution, technical assistance, and community outreach.
- We would enact legislation to promote competition and consumer protection in the broadband market. This legislation would include measures such as prohibiting state laws that restrict municipal broadband networks, requiring broadband providers to disclose their prices and terms of service, empowering consumers to switch providers without penalties or fees, and strengthening antitrust enforcement against anti-competitive practices.
We believe that our plan is a necessary and urgent investment in our nation's future. By connecting every American to high-speed internet access, we can bridge the digital divide, empower our communities, and unleash our potential.
