Targeted Investment in Broadband Infrastructure: Addressing Key Issues for Revitalizing the United States Economy and Regaining Broadband Leadership

Overview

Broadband infrastructure is a major driver of the 21st-century global economy, but the United States has steadily fallen behind other countries in broadband penetration and capabilities. Investment in an infrastructure with high capabilities can turn this trend around - while boosting the economy and generating new jobs. To gain the greatest benefit from this investment, the United States must focus on three areas: extending broadband to underserved regions, improving service affordability, and upgrading network capability levels so they can support applications that are crucial to economic recovery and growth. Well crafted public policies can provide valuable support for these goals by helping to overcome long-standing barriers to universal broadband deployment.