Being fortunate enough to grow up with the internet access, it is oftentimes easy to forget not everybody has or had the same privilege. With the limitless amount of possibilities the internet has to offer, it is crucial to make sure as many people as possible are able to take advantage of it. Everyone deserves access to the internet. This is why the Senate’s recently passed $1 trillion bipartisan plan includes a $65 billion investment in broadband. The White House says will “deliver reliable, affordable, high-speed internet to every household”. 

Accessibility

While the funding may not completely achieve that, it’s a major step in that direction. The U.S. noticed a “digital divide” (the persistent gap between the broadband haves and have-nots) during the pandemic. This was because school, work and healthcare had shifted online. Tens of millions of people either don’t have internet access or, can’t afford to pay for it. According to the Federal Communications Commission, roughly 14 million Americans don’t have access to broadband at the speeds necessary to work and study online. 

It may seem odd to some that it’s nearly 2022 and people still don’t have access to capable or reliable internet access, but there’s a reason for that. Phone and cable companies don’t have incentives to build internet infrastructure in rural areas. This is due to customers being sparser and they may not make their money back. Because of this, government subsidies to the industry have come into play; About $47 billion to rural internet from 2009 through 2017, and an additional $20 billion for rural broadband over the next decade and another $9 billion for high-speed wireless internet called 5G in sparsely populated regions.

Affordability

On the other hand, there are also tens of millions of people who have access to the internet. They just don’t sign up. This is often due to the inability to afford it. The National Urban League estimates that around 30 million households fall into that category. Because of this, the Senate bill would provide about $14 billion toward a $30 monthly benefit that helps low-income people pay for internet access. $42 of the $65 billion is to be provided in grants to states, who in turn will funnel it to ISPs to expand networks where people don’t have good internet service. Companies that take this money will have to offer a low-cost service option. Government regulators will approve the price of that service. The bill requires that internet projects come with minimum speeds of 100 mbps down/20 up. This would be a big step up from current requirements. 

What Does This All Mean?

To sum up, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal will deliver $65 billion to help ensure that every American has access to reliable high speed broadband. The legislation will also help to lower prices for internet services. Furthermore, it will help close the digital divide, so that more Americans can afford web access. As per the White House fact sheet that accompanied the announcement, more than 30 million Americans currently live in areas lacking broadband infrastructure ‘that provides minimally acceptable speeds’. This is a particular problem in rural communities throughout the country, the government notes. Increased accessibility, along with affordable internet will allow more people to experience the benefits of being online. This will hopefully set the path for the complete elimination of the “digital divide”. Broadband internet is necessary for Americans. For their jobs, to participate equally in school learning, health care, and to stay connected.