January 2026

32.9 Million People Can’t Access Critical US Government Services Due to Lack of a Computer

For the 1 in 10 people in the United States who don’t own a computer, accessing government services has become increasingly difficult. As services move increasingly online, residents without a computer and reliable internet service are locked out of essential systems. Tasks that were once handled in person now assume access to digital tools that many individuals simply do not have. Federal policy is accelerating this shift.

Broadband Shorts January 2026

Some broadband topics that interested me in January: 

Chairman Carr Sees Dead People

On January 27, 2026, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Carr posted a press release announcing that the FCC will vote on a reform proposal so that “only living and lawful Americans participate in the Federal Lifeline Program.” A motivating factor in the reform, the press release continued, was the finding from the FCC’s Inspector General report that 116,000 dead people used the Lifeline program. Over nearly five years, this cost taxpayers $5 million in costs to reimburse carriers.

Op-ed

Chairman Carr Sees Dead People

Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

Friday, January 29, 2026

Weekly Digest

The State of the Broadband Dream

Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

Friday, January 30, 2026