Close the Broadband Gap

Affordable, Accessible High-Speed Internet for Every American

While the U.S. has made progress in recent years in closing the broadband gap, millions of Americans don’t have access to broadband—either because it’s not available or they can’t afford it.

Without affordable, reliable broadband connectivity, Americans in both rural and urban communities are held back. This means millions of students are falling behind in school, many older Americans cannot access online healthcare through telehealth solutions, and job seekers and employers have limited options. Communities without broadband access have higher unemployment.

This is a challenge that government policy in conjunction with the private sector can help solve. We can improve education, help job seekers, and put prosperity in reach for more Americans if Congress and the Administration support adequate infrastructure investment and smart policies that enable:

• Internet access to reach communities of every size using any and all technologies that provide high-speed internet cost-effectively, including wired connections, fixed wireless, and satellite;
• Every American to afford internet service and computing devices needed to connect;
• New internet users to learn to connect and benefit from technology.

The stakes could hardly be higher. Internet access is fundamental to participating fully in our society and economy. Our nation, economy, businesses, communities, and families will all benefit if every American can get online.

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