Report Underscores Role of State Policy in Broadband Expansion

In late Oct 2019, the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society released a report that explores how leaders at all levels of government can push toward a more connected future. One of the key findings is that state governments must play a crucial role in expanding Americans’ access to broadband services. The report, Broadband for America’s Future: A Vision for the 2020s, examines ways that policymakers at all levels of government can help expand reliable broadband access to every American by the end of the decade. It notes that achieving this goal is important to improve the lives of individuals and critical to addressing pressing policy priorities. Although the digital divide has been a challenge for decades, the current pandemic reinforces the need for long-term, permanent solutions that connect more Americans to high-speed, reliable internet, a resource that can help them navigate the near term and thrive in the years ahead.