The Infrastructure Bill is About More than Money

President Joe Biden will sign the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law soon. In the broadband infrastructure, adoption, and affordability sections, Congress has included some critical language that lays the foundation for the broadband future we are about to embark upon. Congress lays out a critical set of challenges, principles and goals that every state and local policymaker, every community leader, and every broadband provider should embrace and evangelize. At this critical moment in time, Congress has given us a call to action—and we should do our part to maximize the success of these new programs. Congress, for all of its foibles, has passed a broadband bill that isn’t just about connecting computers to the internet, connecting investment with community need, or connecting people with broadband, this historic law is focused squarely on connecting every American to a whole new generation of opportunity. So as we begin to implement this bill, let’s keep these words in mind… let’s make sure we make good use of this investment, rise up to this challenge, meet this moment, and make sure that we wisely tackle the critical challenges that Congress identifies.

For the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society and our allies working to bring open, affordable, high-performance broadband to all people in the US, this renewed and updated Congressional commitment to universal service is astounding. This really is our broadband moment—and Congress has stood up, recognizing broadband's essential role in modern life and providing the foundation to ensure everyone has affordable access. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is about more than money. It is about commitment. It is about the value of connection. Let's seize this opportunity to make the US more equitable and more just.

[Adrianne B Furniss is the Executive Director of the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society.]