By KAVISH HARJAI and SEUNG MIN KIM
In a significant announcement, President Joe Biden proclaimed that high-speed internet is no longer a luxury but an “absolute necessity.” He pledged to ensure that every household in the United States has access to high-speed internet by 2030, with a focus on using domestically produced cables.
Biden emphasized the inclusivity of these investments, stating, “We’re not going to leave anyone behind.” To achieve this, over $40 billion will be distributed nationwide to bring high-speed internet to areas without service or with inadequate speeds.
The president stressed the importance of not only accessibility but also affordability of internet services. He vowed to work with service providers to lower costs, considering internet as essential as other utilities such as water and gas.
This announcement marks the launch of the second phase of the “Investing in America” tour, a three-week campaign aimed at promoting Biden’s previous legislative victories in infrastructure, the economy, and climate change. Recognizing the need to inform voters about his policies for the upcoming 2024 reelection campaign, the president and his team believe that increased awareness will garner more support.
A significant challenge facing Biden is that certain investments, such as computer chips and major infrastructure projects like rail tunnels, take a considerable amount of time to materialize. Consequently, the focus of the messaging revolves around grants that will be implemented gradually, rather than immediate completion of projects.
The allocated funding for internet access depends on the number of unserved locations in each jurisdiction or areas lacking sufficient download speeds of at least 25 megabits per second and upload speeds of 3 Mbps. Biden revealed that more than 35,000 projects are already underway, funded by the initial $25 billion provided through the “American Rescue Plan.”
Highlighting the significance of high-speed internet, Biden stated, “High-speed internet isn’t a luxury anymore. It’s become an absolute necessity.”
The Federal Communications Commission’s analysis reveals that over 7% of the country falls into the category of underserved populations. To address this, Congress approved the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program (BEAD) along with other initiatives as part of the 2021 infrastructure bill.
The Commerce Department recently announced the winners of middle mile grants, which will fund projects to extend internet access across the nation. States have until the end of the year to submit proposals outlining their plans for utilizing BEAD funds. Once approved, grants can be awarded to various providers to expand internet infrastructure, prioritizing unserved areas before enhancing service in underserved locations and educational institutions.
While relying on FCC data has generated some controversy, with concerns about accuracy and discrepancies, steps have been taken to address these issues. The second version of the FCC’s map, released in May and used for allocation purposes, incorporates updated data from service providers and addresses public challenges.
Harjai, reporting from Los Angeles, is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
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