How NTIA Can Use Historic Investments to Ensure Universal Broadband

On January 7, 2022, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) requested public comment on policy and program considerations associated with new broadband grant programs authorized and funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program, and the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program. The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society conducts research and public education to bring open, affordable, high-performance broadband to all people in the U.S. to ensure a thriving democracy. Benton also supports legal and policy experts who preserve and strengthen the public benefits of America’s communications environment, who can nourish and protect democratic values, and who can communicate to the public why this all matters. Over the past few years, Benton experts have written more than a dozen reports that we believe can help inform the NTIA's implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. In our comments, we call upon the NTIA must to that everyone in America can use high-performance broadband as soon as possible. Universal, affordable, open, high-performance broadband is an important ingredient for a more just America, a healthier society, and an economy that offers true opportunity for everyone. 

[ Adrianne B. Furniss is the Executive Director of the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society. Andrew Jay Schwartzman is the Benton Senior Counselor.]