How the 116th Congress Could Close the Digital Divide

The 116th Congress has a golden opportunity to solve the digital divide, by including broadband funding in upcoming infrastructure legislation. President Trump, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and prospective Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi have all said that investment in infrastructure is an area that they can agree on in 2019. 

Here are a few principles that should guide Congress’ broadband policies:

• Technology-neutral: Local communities should make the decisions about what services, providers, and technologies best suit their unique situation, whether it be a traditional fiber build or high-speed wireless technology.

• Balance Upfront Capital Investment and Ongoing Funding: While some areas can be sustainably funded with upfront capital investment, the most remote regions will require a mix of upfront capital and ongoing funding to support network operations.

• Encourage Network Sharing: Congress should only fund network providers who agree to make their networks open to interconnection and shared use at affordable prices, so that they can serve as platforms for extending wired or wireless service to unserved areas.

• Community Support, Training and Devices: Closing the digital divide entails more than simply building networks. Legislation should plan for community outreach, provide resources to promote digital literacy training, lower the monthly costs of broadband to affordable levels and make devices affordable for low-income people. Public libraries and other community-based organizations can facilitate digital literacy training and low-cost wireless services.

• Forward-looking and Scalable: However Congress chooses to invest, it should avoid technologies that will quickly become obsolete. Funding should focus on building “future-proof” networks that are scalable and will provide the foundation for telemedicine and educational needs for decades to come.

• Mapping: Congress should provide funding to improve broadband mapping practices, so that they produce granular maps showing both wireless and wireline availability. Such maps could be used to target investment to areas that need it most.