Alabama’s Broadband Model for the Nation

Alabama has become a national model for state initiative and success in broadband policy and strategy, showcasing the effectiveness of early planning, substantial executive and legislative support, and strategic use of federal funds. Since 2017, Alabama leaders have consistently acted on the vision of a connected state, supporting and funding broadband initiatives designed to reach every community, from population centers to the state’s rural Black Belt. Alabama has created a lasting blueprint for digital access and economic opportunity through shared vision and effort among the legislature, Governor Kay Ivey’s office, and the agency tasked with execution of the state’s broadband plans, the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). This effective government commitment, combined with ongoing partnership with the private sector, has led to remarkable gains across several key areas since the Alabama legislature and Gov. Ivey kickstarted Alabama’s rural broadband efforts in 2017. For example, according to the Federal Communications Commission, the percentage of Alabama residents without access to high-speed internet decreased from 16 percent in 2017 to 6 percent in 2024. 

[Matt Dunne is the founder and executive director of the Center on Rural Innovation, a national nonprofit committed to advancing economic prosperity in rural America through the creation of inclusive tech economy ecosystems that support scalable entrepreneurship and tech job creation.]