Broadband is one of the great infrastructure challenges of the 21st Century. It wasn't that long ago that we were tethered to our land lines and the vision of a world where there could be instant communication - all done wirelessly - was just a fantasy. But that fantasy has become a reality and rapid technological advances are making gadgets that were cutting edge five years ago relics of a bygone era.
Access to broadband has gone from a luxury to a necessity in a very short time. According to a 2019 Pew Research Center report, 73 percent of American homes have broadband access although the speeds may vary considerably. Additionally, according to the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, each additional $5 billion investment in broadband creates 250,000 jobs and with every percentage point increase in broadband penetration employment expands by nearly 300,000 jobs.
If information is power then broadband is responsible for bringing a world of knowledge into our schools, homes and businesses. Without it, our nation would be at a severe competitive disadvantage. Therefore, we must move forward with smart investments to expand our networks and make faster speeds and higher quality a reality.