National Efforts to Close the Digital Divide Require Local Empowerment

Universal broadband is the 21^st century equivalent of electrification, foundational to equity and economic prosperity in urban and rural communities alike. As the Biden-Harris Administration and Congress consider the most ambitious infrastructure funding bills since the New Deal, states and localities have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to close the digital divide. Broadband Equity Partnership conducted a national survey of state and local leaders, asking them about their priorities for a national broadband stimulus. Over 120 respondents provided insights into their investment and policy preferences, current and desired partners, confidence in deployment mechanisms, and community connection challenges. Respondents hail from 18 states across the country, including localities that vote across the political spectrum. They represent small towns, big cities, state and local economic development and IT agencies, utility companies, nonprofits, and educational institutions, and are at many different stages of implementing broadband plans. The diverse set of respondents are aligned in their investment needs. As the federal government is preparing to allocate hundreds of billions of dollars for historic investments in infrastructure as part of post-COVID recovery efforts, our survey confirms a need for investments in broadband infrastructure nationwide and a new approach to funding for broadband deployment: 88% of respondents ranked fiber deployment among their communities’ highest priorities for investment. Beyond physical infrastructure, subscription subsidies and digital literacy and inclusion programs are the highest priority investments. Closing the digital divide requires not only closing the infrastructure gap, but also the affordability and adoption gaps.

[The Broadband Equity Partnership is a new, mission-driven consultancy and program management team, powered by HR&A Advisors and CTC Technology & Energy, built to help government, nonprofits, and innovative businesses close the digital divide.]