How Localities and States Can Prepare for Broadband Expansion

Governments can use American Rescue Plan Act funding to pay for broadband infrastructure. Experts say local governments are in the best position to know what initiatives will work to connect residents. Because barriers to broadband access vary widely from neighborhood to neighborhood and household to household, local governments are best positioned to figure out what assistance residents need in order to log on. A number of initiatives can help cities interested in using the federal dollars on broadband, including:

• Assessments of connectivity gaps and connection speeds in communities, as well as digital equity assessments;
• Coordination between local governments and internet service providers to reduce locally imposed barriers;
• Collaboration between state broadband offices and smaller localities to provide the resources localities need to successfully implement broadband initiatives, and
• Defined minimum standards for broadband speeds and established dig once policies.