Three essential elements needed for broadband access

Three elements are essential to making universal broadband access a reality: increasing speed minimums, improving accountability measures, and addressing affordability. 

1. Many states — including South Dakota, Maine and Washington — have already increased their speed requirements in anticipation of future needs. And in Minnesota, state funds are authorized only to build broadband infrastructure that can be scaled to provide symmetrical (upload and download) speeds of at least 100 Mbps. One of the easiest ways for governments to ensure that they are funding networks that will meet future demand is by investing in fiber-optic technology, which uses glass and pulses of light to transmit data. 
2. Why — despite billions in public and private investment — does the digital divide still exist? Why can’t we even accurately cite the number of households with internet connections or know what available connections cost? And why can’t we quickly ascertain the quality of those connections? Stronger accountability measures, such as better data collection, establishing service requirements and requiring collaboration within and between levels of government, will help us answer these complicated questions. 
3. Households can’t get online if they can’t afford the subscriptions. So in order for our country to enjoy the full economic and social benefits of universally available high-speed internet connections, affordability must be part of the solution.

Increasing speeds, improving accountability and addressing affordability are not the only actions needed to close the digital divide. But they’re definitely the starting points. And in the weeks and months ahead, as more Americans are vaccinated and life as we used to live it returns, the lessons from the pandemic about the need for universal access must not be forgotten — or ignored. That means all levels of government, internet service providers, the private sector, community organizations and philanthropists must take action. States have already found some innovative ways to expand access to high-speed, reliable and affordable broadband and the federal government has made bold investments in addressing the digital divide. But the pandemic has spotlighted the need to learn more — and do more.  

[Kathryn de Wit is a project director with The Pew Charitable Trusts’ broadband access initiative]