Broadband & the Future of Tech

Every American should have access to affordable broadband internet services at home, school, and work. That's the topline recommendation in The Future of Tech: A Blueprint for Action. Americans appreciate the importance of broadband that is reliable, safe, modern, trustworthy, and affordable. A 2021 survey found that 82% of voters agree that "we need universal access to high-speed internet to ensure our kids get the education they need to compete and win in a global economy;" and 73% agree that "access to high-speed internet is as critical to families today as running water and electricity." Now that Congress has allocated the needed funds, the Future of Tech Commission recommends that the Biden Administration should commit to closing the digital divide and making broadband universal within five years through timely, accountable implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act at the federal, state, and local levels; accurate, up-to-date mapping; and robust oversight. Through effective policy implementation—ensuring that high-speed internet access is available, affordable, and adopted in every urban, suburban, rural, and remote community, in every home, and in every workplace— technology can be a great equalizer of access, education, and opportunity for all.