Why is advancing a broadband agenda so vital to America?

Speaking before the National Urban League, Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn spoke about the FCC’s efforts to maximize the benefits of high-speed Internet for all Americans. She said the challenges of closing the digital divide are too great for any one person, or organization to solve. But she highlighted recent efforts to improve broadband access and adoption:

  • The FCC partnered with the Urban League in kick-starting Connect2Compete, the most comprehensive public-private partnership ever, to close the broadband adoption gap. Connect2Compete is tackling each of the barriers to adoption -- affordability, digital literacy, and the fact that some non-adopters don’t think broadband is relevant to their lives.
  • The FCC reformed the Universal Service Fund and transformed it into the new Connect America Fund which has made significant new funding available by matching hundreds of millions of private sector dollars to quickly expand broadband infrastructure to rural communities in every region of the nation.
  • President Barack Obama has challenged the FCC to bring high-speed Internet to 99% of U.S. students within five years and “we are answering his call,” Chairwoman Clyburn said.
  • The FCC is reforming the Lifeline program, which has significantly increased the overall penetration rate for basic phone service. The FCC is now conducting pilot projects to determine the best way to address the broadband digital divide for low-income consumers in the Lifeline program.

Why is advancing a broadband agenda so vital to America?