The connection is coming. The question is whether we’re ready.

The wait is finally over: with nearly $20 billion in federal funding flowing to states, millions of people will get the connectivity they need. From education to healthcare, the ripple effects on our economy and daily lives will be monumental. But there’s a catch. This investment only delivers for communities that are prepared to meet it. Over the past year, Connected Nation visited some of America’s most underserved communities—from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to far West Texas—to educate, listen, and share information. The specifics varied by geography, but the pattern did not. The communities that are succeeding are thinking holistically. They’re not just asking for infrastructure—they’re prioritizing affordability, skills, and devices and tackling these needs simultaneously as connectivity grows. It’s a challenge that requires a unified, partnership-first approach.