Coronavirus Sparks New Interest in Bridging Digital Divides

Amid the homebound social isolation of the coronavirus, society as a whole has never had so stark a reminder of why broadband matters and what life looks like for those who lack access. With that in mind, Government Technology recently spoke with experts, advocates and those working on broadband initiatives in both state and local government. What emerged is a picture of a resurging interest in closing the digital divide, as well as a host of predictions and suggestions around fast-tracking efforts. “What this public health crisis underscores is that broadband is critical infrastructure,” said Kathryn de Wit, manager of Pew Charitable Trusts’ Broadband Research Initiative. “It’s foundational technology to so many things that we in today’s economy rely on every day.”

While others have seen a reinvigoration in interest at lower levels of government, Benton Senior Fellow and Public Advocate Gigi Sohn said it has also recharged the question of whether broadband should be regulated in the same way the government does utilities like phone service. “Will this reinvigorate the question of whether broadband is a utility?” Sohn said. “It already has.” Sohn said it is important for the federal government to regain its ability to regulate broadband, otherwise a service that is “inextricably linked with the public interest” is liable to be dictated to the actions and needs of large private companies.