Broadband Provisions in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act:

Broadband has become a fundamental enabling technology for nearly every aspect of our lives. It helps support online learning, remote work, telemedicine, and delivery of government services. In the same vein, the lack of access to affordable broadband creates enormous challenges for segments of the population that are unable to access crucial services to help them succeed in work and life.

The disruptions caused by COVID-19 have created additional urgency to bridge this “digital divide.” But the challenge has always been the high costs of building out infrastructure to unserved and underserved areas. In 2017, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) estimated it would cost $40 billion to reach 98 percent of the country with fiber—what is often referred to as a “future-proof” technology. So it is significant that the recently passed $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes more than $65 billion to expand broadband access and support affordable options for low-income individuals. These investments are in addition to the $3 billion provided under the Emergency Broadband Benefit and the $7 billion provided to schools under the Emergency Connectivity Fund.

This report summarizes the broadband provisions in the new law and describes some of the implementation and capacity challenges that lie ahead.