A step forward for broadband deployment and adoption

Anyone looking to improve U.S. broadband deployment and adoption should keep 2 numbers in mind: 275 billion and 18.

The first is the estimated cost to deploy 5G mobile broadband nationwide. The second is the estimated percentage of U.S. students without home broadband, according to a 2019 Associated Press survey. This is the problem that FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel has dubbed “the homework gap.”

These numbers came to mind after I moderated a panel discussion last Thursday on ways to improve broadband access and adoption. As the first figure shows, broadband deployment is massively expensive. 5G broadband is blazing fast but it requires tens of thousands of new “small cell” transmitters and lots more fiber optic deployment. 

Bridging the digital divide depends on consumers having diverse connectivity options which include at home wireline connection as well as 5G mobile broadband. Both options are dependent on local and national leadership taking action to establish a regulatory environment that helps streamline deployment of fiber. This necessary adjustment addresses the biggest barrier to broadband subscription—price, and ensures that economically disadvantaged communities are able to benefit from the transformative power of the gig economy. 

That’s where a key problem for consumers comes in. Despite the FCC’s push to reduce legal and regulatory delays, there are still plenty of unneeded legal delays, especially at the local level.  This adds to already high costs passed along to Internet users and delays better service.

Reducing these regulatory delays serves everyone, especially people who need better home broadband access. It’s a genuinely unifying component of a forward-looking Federal Internet policy.

Moreover, with faster broadband deployment, our communities will be in a better position to promote adoption and reduce the problem of homes without broadband. To be successful, this has to be a team effort with Internet providers, online companies and public officials working together. Groups such as LULAC, the NAACP and AARP can help with targeted education geared to their members.

To be clear, streamlining broadband deployment rules is not a magic pill. But given the abrasion points over many Internet policy debates these days, it’s a path that deserves broad support.