This blog from January 2020 argues that the state of broadband is uncertain. Despite robust broadband accessibility, there is little competition, and not everyone has the digital skills to utilize the networks that do exist. Different facets of the challenge in providing universal broadband must be addressed to reach the ultimate goal of providing universal, high-performance broadband by the end of the decade.

A paper that reflects on the progress made under the National Broadband Plan, with a specific focus on the digital divide. The guiding principles for broadband adoption still resonate as successful efforts addressed multiple barriers to adoption and the plan for changes in technology helped ensure community programs served clients with up-to-date technology.

This resource discusses data about the Emergency Broadband Benefit program, created by Congress in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Areas with low wireline broadband adoption have above-average rates of households signing up for the EBB. On the other hand, large metropolitan areas have high volumes of sign-ups but lower rates of actual enrollment.

A paper that examines public-private partnerships (P3) as a promising alternative to the traditional municipal broadband or middle mile models for communities that lack the capital, the expertise, or both to deploy and operate fiber networks or act as internet service providers on their own. The paper also discusses major legal issues that may arise in broadband P3 projects.

A paper from August 2021 detailing community-led broadband case studies of six communities that have succeeded in providing robust services that were not previously available or providing competition for incumbent companies.

Published in 2019, the Arkansas State Broadband Plan begins with the Governor’s goal of deploying broadband with speeds of 25/3 Mbps in all population centers of at least 500 people by 2022. It then delves into the current broadband landscape, describing technologies, performance metrics, and federal funding sources, before focusing on Arkansas’ broadband resources, initiatives, recommendations, and recent broadband-related statewide legislation.

This Broadband Plan, published in 2018, outlines the history and current state of Arizona’s broadband programs and sets goals and policy recommendations for the future of its broadband development. The plan also examines case studies of initiatives taken by other states.

A study, from May 2019, that discusses three key elements of broadband policy success—availability, adoption, and application—as well as statewide priorities such as broadband planning and mapping, and material broadband enhancements to rural hospitals. The plan focuses on rural Alabama and makes a case for why broadband is necessary.