States are Critical in Bringing America Up to Speed

To no one's surprise, although broadband is available to most Americans, large disparities exist among states and localities, income levels, urban and rural areas and racial and ethnic groups.  A just-released report from the Pew Center on the States found that an estimated 100 million Americans who lack broadband at home say they can't afford it, don't know how to use it, don't think it is relevant to their lives, or can't get it.  Driven by tight budgets to do more with less, many states are looking to broadband as a potential vehicle for promoting economic growth and delivering education, health care, public safety and other critical services more efficiently and effectively.  Almost every policy area that states manage could be affected by expanding broadband availability, adoption and quality. 

The report Bringing America Up to Speed: States' Role in Expanding Broadband examines the national push to ensure broadband access for all Americans and notes that states' efforts will play a pivotal role in whether the new national broadband plan succeeds.  It can be found at www.pewcenteronthestates.org/broadband.