Now is the time to aim high and look local on broadband

We are on the cusp of an opportunity to close the remaining digital divide with a once-in-a-generation investment in broadband infrastructure through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which, if passed by the House and signed into law, would devote tens of billions more toward the deployment and affordability of broadband, with the goal of connecting every American.  But how do we spend these funds wisely? Policymakers must aim for the best return. We should invest rather than speculate with these funds, deploying networks that are built to last and can keep pace with growing demands. We will not achieve national broadband goals — including enabling higher performance online services supporting artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, precision agriculture, and better access to health care and education — without a strong foundation of fiber connectivity. Fiber has been proven to provide the best levels of performance, and even those focused on a wireless 5G future acknowledge that more substantial fiber deployment will be critical to achieving the promise of that service. We are on the cusp of a new digital age, one where all Americans must have access to robust and affordable broadband connectivity. But we must invest wisely, ensuring that we are making investments that will stand the test of time and give consumers and businesses what they need today and for decades to come. As they look to spend and invest new funding for broadband, I urge policymakers to aim high and look local to give all Americans the best internet access. 

[Shirley Bloomfield is Chief Executive Officer of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association.]