Can we measure the benefits of broadband?

The Missouri House of Representatives’ Special Interim Committee on Broadband Development is working to develop a better understanding of broadband’s role across multiple aspects of everyday living, including education, entrepreneurship and economic development, government services, precision agriculture and telemedicine. The committee asked, can we measure the extent to which affordable broadband improves educational outcomes, labor market participation, or population growth? Fortunately, researchers constantly are adding to our collective knowledge. The following data measures:

• Economic boosts caused by broadband access
• An economic correlation to digital skills development
• The relationship between connectivity and rural population change
• The correlation between computers and home internet on educational outcomes
• How many students lack a computer, internet, or both
• How people are finding and signing up for low-cost broadband