The digital divide in America is a serious issue, with many households and businesses unable to access high-speed broadband service. According to the Federal Communications Commission, over 8.3 million homes and businesses across the country lack access to this essential utility. This problem affects people in rural areas like Clay County, West Virginia, where nearly a third of homes and businesses face the same issue.
People like Amanda Moore, who depends on the internet for work as a professional photographer, have had to resort to driving to remote locations in search of a signal. However, the U.S. government aims to tackle this divide by expanding broadband access across the country. With the help of the Biden administration’s $65 billion broadband push, officials plan to make broadband universally available within the next five years and even lower the cost of using this essential service.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo believes that increasing access is critical for maintaining America’s global competitiveness, especially against countries like China. She notes that everyone in America has something to contribute, regardless of their background or location. However, many students, like Jayleigh Persinger in Hico, West Virginia, can’t complete their school work due to the lack of high-speed broadband access in their homes. Losing these bright minds to insufficient infrastructure would be a significant loss for the country’s future.
Every state in the nation will receive federal funding to expand broadband access, and state governments will rely on the newly released FCC coverage map to allocate the billions of dollars earmarked for this effort. But, despite the considerable investment, the task remains daunting due to topography problems in areas like the mountain ranges in the West. Nonetheless, Raimondo remains confident that they will get it done.
For people like Amanda Moore, this expanded broadband access cannot come soon enough. She and many others across the country eagerly await access to this essential utility that will make their lives much more comfortable.
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