Arizona Aims to Make the "6th C" More Affordable

Arizona's economic and cultural identity has long been anchored by the "5 C's": Copper, Cattle, Cotton, Citrus, and Climate. The next chapter of Arizona’s story adds a "6th C"—Connectivity. This new cornerstone represents the state's commitment to expand universal broadband internet access for all Arizonans. The Arizona Commerce Authority aims to bridge the digital divide and foster a more connected, inclusive, and prosperous Arizona. Although 88.2 percent of Arizonans have an internet access subscription, broadband adoption varies widely across the state. Many underserved communities—including low-income households and rural areas—face barriers in accessing the digital resources they need for education, employment, healthcare, and civic engagement. The Arizona Commerce Authority recognizes that affordability plays a pivotal role in achieving digital equity in Arizona. Affordability is a central tenet of Arizona's broadband deployment and digital adoption goals and strategies, acknowledging that building new last-mile infrastructure is ineffective if Arizonans cannot afford monthly internet service costs.