U.S. Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill-Earmarks 65 Dollars Billion for Broadband Investments
In August, the bipartisan infrastructure bill was successfully approved by the US Senate. This comprehensive legislation entails $550 billion in fresh federal investments toward enhancing America’s infrastructure within a five-year span. A notable portion of $65 billion is designated not only to narrow the digital gap across the nation but also to facilitate affordable broadband access. These funds are primarily set to be distributed to states through grants.
According to Insight, over $42 billion in funding is to be used to deploy broadband in rural and inadequately served areas. At least $100 million is earmarked for each 50 states, with another $100 million to be divided among other American territories, such as the U.S. Virgin Islands. Providers receiving federal grant will be required to offer low-cost service to eligible low-income households. $14 billion will be used to subsidize broadband by extending the Emergency Broadband Benefit, for example to low-income city dwellers. The bill seeks to stimulate competition and transparency among service providers in order to lower prices.
The bill also includes $2.75 billion for the Digital Equity Act, which will help states improve internet access for students, the elderly, and historically underserved communities. The Whitehouse compares the current efforts to connect every American to reliable high-speed internet to the federal government’s historic effort to provide electricity to every American nearly one hundred years ago. The bill also focuses on modernizing the electric grid, repairing roads and bridges, giving a boost to airports, public transit, rail and electric vehicles, and improving drinking water safety.
