Can Biden’s broadband infrastructure plan close the digital divide?

President Biden and Vice President Harris are soliciting bipartisan support for their sweeping infrastructure proposal, which aims to expand access to high-speed internet for all Americans, among other things. The administration’s broadband proposal is largely modeled after the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act, co-sponsored by House Majority Whip James Clyburn and Senator Amy Klobuchar. Areas of focus are the availability, affordability, and adoption of the internet to close the digital divide across the country and to support emerging broadband-enabled trends such as telehealth, distance learning, and remote work.

On June 2, the Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings hosted a webinar to discuss the Biden administration’s broadband infrastructure proposal. Panelists explored the economic and political challenges to building and activating futureproof broadband networks across the United States. Will the proposed down payment on America’s broadband networks be enough to accelerate universal connectivity? How will it expand access in rural areas and to the nation’s most impoverished communities?  

Viewers submitted questions for speakers by emailing [email protected] or via Twitter at @BrookingsGov by using #DigitalDivide.