State Broadband Initiatives: Selected State and Local Approaches as Potential Models for Federal Initiatives to Address the Digital Divide

To further assist in closing the digital divide, states have been developing their own broadband programs and initiatives. Although many state broadband initiatives focus on building out broadband infrastructure, states have also been considering other factors. As each state approaches broadband access and deployment differently, this report analyzes selected state-level and local initiatives that have tried different approaches—approaches that may serve as models for future federal broadband initiatives. These include initiatives that address broadband mapping, broadband feasibility, digital equity and digital inclusion, gigabit broadband initiatives, and the homework gap. Among the options Congress may consider are:

• holding hearings with state officials involved in state broadband initiatives to hear their stories, successes, and lessons learned;
• developing pilot broadband initiatives to evaluate the feasibility of different approaches;
• providing additional funding and oversight for state initiatives to help improve their sustainability; and
• finding ways to address duplicative funding while not unintentionally exacerbating the exclusion of unserved and underserved communities.

In any case, there appears to be an opportunity for states to share lessons learned from their approaches to closing the digital divide.