US investing billions to expand high-speed internet access to rural areas: "Broadband isn't a luxury anymore"

Many Americans take a solid internet connection for granted. Many others, however, are living in areas where they can't even get online. Now, the US government is working to bridge the digital divide by expanding access to broadband. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo is leading the Biden administration's $65 billion broadband push, which is part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The goal is make broadband universally available in the next five years, and a plan to lower the cost of the utility is also in place. "Broadband isn't a luxury anymore. It's a necessity," Sec Raimondo said. Every state in the nation will receive federal funding to expand broadband access. Exactly how the billions of dollars will be divided will be announced by the end of June, 2023, based on a newly-released Federal Communications Commission coverage map. But even with that influx of cash, it may still be a long road.