Report on Promoting Internet Access Service for Veterans

This report explores the availability and adoption of broadband Internet access services by veterans throughout the nation. While the FCC finds that many veterans have access to both fixed and mobile broadband options, a significant number still lack access to fixed broadband, mobile broadband, or both. Specifically, for 92.5% of veterans at least one provider of 25 Mbps/3 Mbps fixed broadband services is available, while only 78.4% of veterans have 10 Mbps/3Mbps mobile LTE broadband coverage. Among households with veterans, approximately 85%, or 14.4 million, reported that they had paid connections to the Internet in their homes. However, households with veterans subscribe to mobile broadband services at lower rates than households without veterans. For those veterans who lack a broadband connection, barriers to broadband adoption may include lack of deployment where they live, price, and digital illiteracy or perceived irrelevance. Ensuring that all veterans enjoy the benefits of broadband access implicates not only Commission efforts, but collaboration across other federal agencies, industry stakeholders, and local communities to ensure lasting universal broadband access.