What Is a State Broadband Advisory Board?

To help coordinate broadband efforts at the state level, policymakers have turned to legislation and executive orders to create statewide broadband advisory boards, task forces, and other similar agencies. At its core, a broadband advisory board is made up of individuals from different sectors who advise state broadband programs, governors, or legislatures. However, not all advisory boards are the same. Some serve as a temporary entity that guides the outset of a broadband program for states, while others are long-serving advisory entities that are helping to create new state broadband offices. While the overarching goal of almost all of these boards is the same — to help the state government get high-speed Internet access for its residents — the approaches, makeup, and longevity of state broadband groups tend to vary. For example, Kansas and Alaska initially had temporary task forces that put together reports and offered recommendations about the states’ different programs. Based on that work, each state then used the findings to create more permanent solutions. Other states also have ongoing and formalized groups. In all, these entities serve the purpose of connecting Americans to the 21st century.