This resource presents findings from studies that sought to gain a deeper understanding of the ability of low-income individuals to pay for home broadband connection. The findings show that those with a limited monthly budget had an acute understanding of the value of home broadband and, as such, prioritized other expenses.

As the FCC prepared to launch the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, this blog argued that federal funds for the construction of broadband networks should focus solely on future-proof, scalable networks that will last at least a decade. Because previous requirements for broadband performance failed to look to the future, more money will be spent to build new networks again in the same places. The author states the use of new funding can be fiscally responsible if directed towards future-proof networks.

This blog details examples of limited broadband competition and its impact on pricing for customers. People with only one or two broadband providers have no choice but to pay high monopoly or duopoly prices. Local communities should have the freedom to help their people fully participate in a broadband world, which cannot be accomplished with the lack of competition.

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.

This resource argues for the inclusion of broadband in Congress' stimulus bill, the CARES Act. Broadband deployment, competition, affordability, adoption, and connectivity to community anchor institutions combine to form essential parts of an agenda for change.

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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 briefly evaluates data-driven state plans used by policymakers and stakeholders who had previously made assumptions about broadband access, which often led to ineffective solutions. The author indicates that data can show a more nuanced picture of the issues affecting broadband adoption rates in different states.

This resource argues for universally available, affordable broadband for everyone in Illinois. A study conducted by the Illinois Broadband Advisory Council reveals that race, ethnicity, and age are important factors in internet access and adoption. The blog uses the multiple findings from the study to initiate a conversation about broadband access, adoption, and affordability.

A blog that examines ideas policymakers should consider as the Covid-19 pandemic has made the digital divide a large issue to tackle. Policymakers should consider analyses of broadband adoption barriers, such as cost and competitive rates.

This resource explains two policy tools that may help address the digital divide. Promoting competition leads to investing in new infrastructure and lower prices for consumers. Providing a subsidy tackles affordability more directly by offering cost relief, which may be a more attractive approach.

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 study focuses on 32 low and lower-middle income countries where women are disproportionately excluded from accessing the internet. The report outlines the economic and social impact of the digital gender gap and offers policy recommendations for closing the gap.

This paper from the Benton Institute hopes to contribute to a national broadband agenda for the next decade. The resource argues that connecting the country through high-performance broadband will bring remarkable economic, social, cultural, and personal benefits and that affordable, robust broadband is key to everyone achieving the American dream. The resource examines the diverse strategies state and local leadership can use to improve broadband deployment and usage: competition, deployment, affordability and adoption, and connectivity to community anchor institutions.