Achieving Internet for All: Socioeconomics and Fixed Broadband in the United States

High-speed Internet access is now essential for full participation in modern society. A reliable home Internet connection can have a transformative impact on a household and can lead to a wealth of previously untapped opportunities in areas like education, healthcare, employment, and civic participation. As Internet service providers (ISPs) and policymakers continue to find ways to expand high-speed broadband connectivity to all United States residents, it is essential no one is left behind. This paper examines publicly available data on current fixed broadband network deployments in the US and analyzes publicly available national, state, and local demographic data to determine what correlation, if any, may exist between broadband availability, race/ethnicity, and income. This paper also looks at the impact of rurality on broadband availability, as well as levels of competition in different communities.