Rural online businesses expect a coming broadband boom

The $65 billion federal boost to expand broadband access in the US will be a boon to the women-run companies on platforms like Etsy and Airbnb, especially as they see an increase in rural businesses. Expanding high-speed internet access across the country will enable more women to participate in the online economy at a time when women have dropped out of the labor force due to the pandemic. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo held a roundtable discussion with platform leaders and female business owners to discuss how improved broadband access leads to economic empowerment. The Commerce Department will oversee the awarding of the bulk of the $65 billion dedicated to expanding internet service as part of the infrastructure package, with more than $40 billion heading to the states. Etsy seller Ali Fitzgerald, who lives in southeastern Washington state, called into the virtual roundtable using a landline because she was worried her satellite internet connection would not be stable enough for Zoom. "Women especially will see the benefits of this increased access to broadband," Raimondo said. "And this is long overdue."