Broadband connects communities to an increasingly digital world. It has transformed industries, changed the way people access goods and services, and become an indispensable part of modern life.
Yet despite more than two decades of public and private efforts to expand broadband access, gaps persist. More than 18 million Americans—perhaps upwards of 42 million—still lack access to a reliable high-speed internet connection. And that does not include the millions of Americans who cannot afford connections when they are available.
Although there is no one-size-fits-all solution for improving coverage, future efforts would benefit from data-driven policy discussions informed by rigorous, unbiased research.
The broadband initiative focuses on:
- Promising practices. Examining what leaders at every level of government can learn from successful state and local efforts to increase connectivity.
- Research. Conducting in-depth analyses of issues related to broadband access and expansion, including state policy and public funding models.
- Convenings. Bringing together government, research, and industry leaders and other stakeholders for data-driven discussions about improving broadband access.
