Governor Strategies To Expand Affordable Broadband Access

Increasing access to the internet and improving the affordability of broadband services has been a long-standing priority for governors; more than twenty states now have dedicated broadband offices to address the digital divide while more have robust governance structures that include task forces, working groups, and committees. Access to high quality, affordable broadband unlocks access to commerce, remote work opportunities, remote and improved education, telehealth, intelligent agriculture, and more. However, 18.3 million Americans, many in rural geographies, still lack access to even basic levels of broadband service and even more are unable to afford the service available to them. While the need for accessible and affordable broadband extends far beyond the current crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic has added a newfound urgency to broadband expansion. Connectivity has become essential for people to follow public health guidelines, school closures, and remote work requirements. As governors increase state efforts to expand affordable broadband access, particularly in response to the ongoing pandemic, several key strategies and best practices have emerged that can facilitate those efforts, including to:

• Establish robust, cross-cutting governance structures
• Initiate partnerships with other state agencies, local and county governments, and other entities to kickstart broadband investments
• Leverage anchor institutions to provide rapid community internet service
• Leverage existing infrastructure projects with dig-once coordination
• Leverage electric utilities’ infrastructure and services to facilitate deployments of broadband networks
• Coordinate and expand broadband affordability programs
• Deploy innovative procurement strategies
• Improve broadband coverage maps
• Identify funding and financing sources for broadband deployment