It’s Time For An Internet-For-All Public Utility (Before Corona Crashes It)

If ever there was a wake-up call to an immediate infrastructure threat, Corona is it. So let’s make the case for a public digital infrastructure (PDI). Is it even reasonable to ask the federal government to fund and govern a world-class broadband network utility – for everyone?  The argument here is yes.  The government should provide directed, comprehensive funding to broadband deployment across all parts of the country versus off-loading much of the cost to the states (who then enable ISPs to set prices). The cost?  Around $100B to provide 100MB service everywhere. Full funding replaces constant, crazy fights about funding and geographic eligibility, which always results in sub-optimal, under-served Americans – about 90 million Americans.

So what if utility-like funding was available to provide high-speed, affordable-for-all Americans?  (By the way, would the Americans who loathe the whole concept of “utility” prefer no regulation of electricity, water, nuclear power or air travel?) What to do?

1. The federal government should provide $100B (or more) to build out national broadband capabilities (100 Mbps downloads and 50 Mbps uploads) and create a publicly-owned broadband network (yes, a full-blown utility)
2. As a public utility, service providers should be required to offer affordable high-speed broadband to all Americans

[Steve Andriole is the Thomas G. Labrecque Professor of Business Technology in the Villanova School of Business at Villanova University where he teaches strategic technology, innovation and entrepreneurialism]