Benjamin Dinovelli
Wishful Thinking: GAO Report Shows the Failure of “Dig Once” Proceduralism
Recently, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on states’ implementation of a “dig once” law that Congress enacted in 2018. Given our recent paper analyzing dig once requirements, we were thrilled to dig in (pun very much intended).
Dig Once: How Federal, State, and Local Governments Can Reduce the Cost of Broadband Deployment
Millions of Americans struggle to access affordable, high-speed internet. A key reason is the lack of infrastructure: Fiber-optic cables, the technology most capable of supporting fast upload and download speeds, pass only half of American homes. In some cases, internet service providers can install new fiber-optic cables aerially on utility poles. But in most cases, ISPs choose to serve an area by installing cables underground.
Red Tape Isn’t the Only Reason America Can’t Build
Figuring out how to provide high-speed internet to all Americans has been an important public-policy goal for decades. As the coronavirus pandemic made painfully clear, broadband is crucial to full participation in society.