In the United States, the major problem with the country’s broadband networks is that the service is costly than most of the countries in the world. And the service still doesn’t reach more than tens of millions of Americans and there isn’t much competition in the broadband market.
But, now the US government has finally decided to tackle this long-standing problem. According to sources, the Biden administration is promising to do something about all of those issues as part of its proposed $2.3 trillion infrastructure package.
According to the proposed infrastructure plan, the administration will devote $100 billion to get all Americans connected, which is more idea than policy and lacks a lot of important detail. But it still is better than nothing, and it shows that the government is taking interest in improving one of America’s long-lasting problems.
According to sources, the US administration will spend $100 billion on “future-proof” broadband as part of an eight-year infrastructure plan, calling high-speed connections “the new electricity” that’s now a necessity for all Americans.
If the policy becomes successful then it could result in actually lowering the high cost of internet service, rather than just handing money to broadband providers for building out networks. This new plan could lower prices, by encouraging and supporting networks owned or affiliated with local governments, cooperatives, and non-profit organizations.
As of now, in the US, roughly 20 states restrict municipal broadband. Prioritizing such networks could give them a leg up when the government doles out money for extending service.
“The most important thing about what President Biden has done in the proposal is that he’s redefined the digital divide. The simple act of recognizing that poverty is a bigger indicator of lack of access than geography is a huge statement.”
