How Does the U.S. Government Address Broadband Access?

Research on federal policies and guidelines for high-speed, affordable internet connectivity

The federal government has directed billions of dollars toward increasing the availability and decreasing the costs of broadband in the past decade, especially for low-income and other underserved households. Most recently, federal funds have come through provisions in recent legislation, particularly the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020. Federal policymakers allocate funds, set guidelines for how the money can be spent, provide oversight, and determine desired goals or expected outcomes.

The resources collected here look at the role of federal policies and how federal dollars are spent. 

Flag over Capitol
Flag over Capitol
Article

Infrastructure Bill Includes Historic Broadband Provisions

Quick View
Article

A sweeping $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill passed by the Senate on Aug. 10 would invest $65 billion in fast and reliable broadband infrastructure, affordability, and adoption. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act also would provide hundreds of billions of dollars for roads, high-speed rail, and other projects.

Fiber installation crew
Fiber installation crew
Article

Using Pandemic Relief Funds to Boost Broadband Access

Quick View
Article

As states start to allocate funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), enacted in March, many policymakers are using some of the new resources to fund broadband expansion, by increasing funding for existing programs or establishing new ones.

OUR WORK

America’s Overdose Crisis
America’s Overdose Crisis

America’s Overdose Crisis

Sign up for our five-email course explaining the overdose crisis in America, the state of treatment access, and ways to improve care

Sign up
Quick View

America’s Overdose Crisis

Sign up for our five-email course explaining the overdose crisis in America, the state of treatment access, and ways to improve care

Sign up
Composite image of modern city network communication concept

Learn the Basics of Broadband from Our Limited Series

Sign up for our four-week email course on Broadband Basics

Quick View

How does broadband internet reach our homes, phones, and tablets? What kind of infrastructure connects us all together? What are the major barriers to broadband access for American communities?

What Is Antibiotic Resistance—and How Can We Fight It?

Sign up for our four-week email series The Race Against Resistance.

Quick View

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria, also known as “superbugs,” are a major threat to modern medicine. But how does resistance work, and what can we do to slow the spread? Read personal stories, expert accounts, and more for the answers to those questions in our four-week email series: Slowing Superbugs.