The TPI Broadband Connectivity Index for 2022, First Half

The Broadband Connectivity Index (BCI) measures overall internet connectivity and compares it across areas. The BCI uses principal components analysis of the availability of internet service, how many people have internet service at home, and the speed of internet service. The BCI is adjusted to range from zero (worst) to one (best), by county. Most counties in the US have fairly high scores for broadband availability, but some counties score very low. Even within states, scores can vary a lot. For example, Arizona has an average score of 0.67, which ranks it 37th among all states. However, the lowest-scoring 5% of counties in Arizona are lower than those in all but one state (Alaska). States could use the BCI for multiple purposes. It could help to decide where to challenge the Federal Communications Commission's new National Broadband Map or where to target state resources for gathering better information. Areas with particularly high scores but low measures of any given indicator, or vice versa, could be areas in which data is incorrect and needs more investigation. Additionally, the BCI could provide a framework for states to start considering where subsidies are likely to make the biggest difference. States can modify it to fit specific priorities, like considering internet adoption by race or ethnicity or looking at different internet speed standards. The BCI is not a solution for deciding where to give out subsidies, but it can be a useful tool for identifying geographic areas or types of information that need more attention