The benefits and costs of broadband expansion

Brookings provides an overview of the benefits and costs of expanding broadband access and bridging the digital divide. The shift of work and school online highlighted the lack of access to high-speed broadband internet service in some parts of the US and intensified political pressure on the government to make it more widely available. The bipartisan infrastructure bill that passed the Senate includes $65 billion to finance the expansion of broadband. Research suggests that the economic and social returns to investment in broadband are significant; increasing access and usage of broadband infrastructure in rural areas can bring three to four-fold returns on investment as well as improved health and life outcomes for users. Yet different regions of the US struggle to gain adequate internet access for a variety of reasons, including rural infrastructure, provider availability, and broadband affordability. The complex challenge of closing the digital divide, and meeting the needs of a diverse array of communities, requires a multitude of potential solutions.