Political Bickering Prolongs the Digital Divide

Among Democrat and Republican proposals alike, a nice round number continually pops up on what it should cost to give all Americans access to, and full use of, digital technologies: $100 billion. Spectacular as this sum is, it is also spectacularly off the mark and a mirage. My team’s analysis estimates the government needs to spend at least $240 billion. Bridging the digital divide will require creative ways to enhance three key ingredients: money, access infrastructure, and execution. On money, Big Tech should pay through a tax on targeted digital advertising. Facebook, Alphabet, Amazon, and Apple should all be encouraged to offer favorable deals on their own internet access infrastructure. Finally, the federal government should  organize bids to solicit the best public-private partnership solution for each gap area. It can set state targets and tie subsidies, grants and additional incentives for state and local governments to hit them.

[Bhaskar Chakravorti is the dean of global business at Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy]