How to make broadband affordable and accessible for everyone

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Tens of millions of Americans still lack access to affordable broadband, leaving them stranded on the wrong side of the country's stubborn digital divide at one of the worst possible moments in American history. While the Covid-19 crisis is an immense tragedy, it has created an opportunity for Congress to fix this longstanding problem. Several promising proposals already exist, including one in which the federal government would provide a "broadband benefit" in the form of a monthly subsidy to ensure that essential broadband access is affordable for all. Some of these proposals are even being supported by the broadband industry, which has long resisted government involvement in its business.

For the first time, industry is admitting that it can't do this on its own and the government has a major role to play in ensuring that everyone, everywhere has access to an essential service during a health and economic crisis. With industry, public interest groups, and many lawmakers already on board, Congress has a huge opportunity to make sure that every American is online during this national emergency and beyond. It should pass a monthly broadband benefit for low-income and recently out-of-work Americans without delay.

[Gigi Sohn is a distinguished fellow at the Georgetown Law Institute for Technology, Law & Policy and a Benton Institute senior fellow and public advocate]


How to make broadband affordable and accessible for everyone