Washington has authorized substantial new funding and connectivity programs to address broadband access and affordability in America. These federal resources are a generational opportunity to expand the reach of affordable, high-speed broadband and recognize the private model of broadband deployment – targeted public support in unserved or hard to reach communities – is the key to achieving universal connectivity.

The infrastructure law relies on states to distribute federal funding and leverage the existing investment, innovation and expertise of private broadband providers. The most important decision a community can make is to partner with experienced providers to ensure funds spent today will not only complete a network build, but continue to provide communities modern, reliable connectivity into the future.

USTelecom is a resource to state, local and Tribal government leaders on the connectivity needs of communities and available to answer questions, share insights, and otherwise help address implementation challenges in a project of this scale.

Please contact Jenna Alsayegh (jalsayegh@ustelecom.org) or Lynn Follansbee (lfollansbee@ustelecom.org) for more information.

Experience Matters

Local governments are focused on governing, and possibly building and maintaining static infrastructure such as roads, sewers and bridges—not running technically complex dynamic broadband networks.

Government broadband deployments at all scales frequently have struggled to remain solvent, even with financial subsidies, let alone keep up with the pace of technology to do frequent network upgrades and ensure cybersecurity protections. Learn more.

The More You Know About…..Road Moves and Utility Relocation

The Infrastructure Act contains more than just broadband provisions.  It is also about roads, bridges, water and other utilities. Did you know that the Infrastructure Act provides funding specifically for utility relocation that also applies to broadband? Utility relocation is when pipes, fiber and cable need to be retrenched or a communications pole needs to be moved as a result of a road move needed due to an Infrastructure Act funded transportation project.

The More You Know About…..Road Moves and Utility Relocation

Get Right With Rights of Way

The combination of the increased demand for broadband and the availability of once in a generation funding to deploy it, makes it imperative that state and local governments streamline their permitting processes so that consumers can get access to broadband as quickly as possible. By streamlining, expediting and in some cases waiving rules broadband providers will be able to maintain, repair and upgrade services that will help with e-learning, telemedicine, and connecting small businesses and consumers especially in rural and under-served areas.
STREAMLINING AND STANDARDIZING LOCAL PERMITTING

Preparing Your Community for Broadband Success

The need for broadband connectivity has never been greater and closing the final segments of the broadband gap will require true public-private partnerships. States and communities have the ability to help their residents, not just through funding programs, but also by preparing their communities to receive broadband service.  Learn what states should be considering along the way.

Preparing Your Community for Broadband Success

USTelecom State Broadband Best Practices

Working hand-in-hand with experienced and reliable providers, state broadband leaders can transform federal funding into life-changing broadband opportunities for their residents. USTelecom’s broadband leaders offer best practices as states plan out their broadband grant programs in response to federal funding opportunities.

State Broadband Best Practices

Ensuring Affordable Broadband Connectivity for All

America’s broadband providers have been doing their part to make the service more affordable than ever before, at higher speeds, including at entry level price points.  But for some low-income households, broadband remains unaffordable. This is changing.

Through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Congress created the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to enable low-income Americans to get—and stay—online with a monthly credit of up to $30 off their broadband bill. In addition to the direct subsidies available under the ACP, the IIJA enable states to take other steps to promote affordability.

Ensuring Affordable Broadband Connectivity for All

Additional Resources

Broadband Providers Invested $94.7B in Communications Infrastructure

America’s broadband industry invested a record $97.4 billion in U.S. communications infrastructure in 2023, reflecting broadband providers’ determination to help achieve the national objective of affordable, reliable high-speed connectivity for all. The annual figure is 23.3% above the historic annual average. Read USTelecom’s report here.

U.S. Broadband Prices Drop 9.4% Year Over Year

The fifth installment of USTelecom’s Broadband Pricing Index (BPI or Index) shows that prices for high-speed broadband internet services continue to decline—even as upload and download speeds rapidly advance.

Infographic | Broadband Deployment: Connecting Communities

Deploying broadband to every community involves many business and financial considerations. USTelecom’s infographic visualizes just a few of the many complexities and obstacles providers face on their road to connecting communities across our nation. Download the infographic

Blueprint to Finally and Fully Connect U.S.

USTelecom’s memo to the Biden Administration, NTIA, FCC, Congress, Tribal leaders and state broadband offices shares concrete recommendations to make the most of the $65 billion broadband investment included in the recently enacted Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA).  Read the memo here.