Connecting America: Better Internet Boosts the Economy for Everyone

Introduction: The Opportunity

Fast, reliable Internet is not just a convenience. It is a foundation for economic growth. Businesses, schools, healthcare, and innovation all rely on connectivity. Yet millions of Americans still face slow, unreliable, or unaffordable Internet. Closing this gap is not a purely fairness issue. It is an investment with enormous returns.

The Problem

Limited Access: In the United States, many communities, especially in rural areas, tribal lands, and low‑income neighborhoods, still lack adequate high‑speed broadband infrastructure.
High Costs: Even where service is available, affordability remains a barrier; for example, nearly 24% of broadband households said cost was “somewhat” or “very” difficult to pay. (The White House)
Skill and Device Gaps: Access alone is not sufficient. People need devices and the digital skills to use online tools, services, and data effectively.

These gaps result in lost productivity, slower innovation, fewer job opportunities, and reduced economic growth.

How the Federal Government Can Drive Impact

1. Invest in Infrastructure

Deploy broadband where it does not exist.
Support multiple technologies, fiber, fixed wireless, satellite.
Ensure connection of schools, clinics, businesses (the “middle‑mile” and “last‑mile” problem).

Economic impact: Analyses suggest large returns. For example, one study estimated that between 2010 and 2020 expansions in broadband adoption and speed contributed $1.3 trillion to U.S. GDP. (nrtc.coop) Another estimate shows that a $59.7 billion public investment in broadband (via federal programs) may add up to $146 billion in GDP — a multiplier of roughly 2.45 ×. (ITIF) A separate projection sees that full deployment of fiber to 56 million un‑served U.S. households could generate $3.24 trillion in economic impact (including housing values and income gains). (Fiber Broadband Association)

2. Make Internet Affordable

Expand or continue subsidy/discount programs so cost is not a barrier.
Provide low‑cost devices (laptops, tablets) to families, students, seniors.
Promote competition and transparency to reduce service cost across markets.

Economic impact: Affordable connectivity increases the number of households online, expanding the consumer base, enabling remote work, and increasing workforce participation — all drivers of business growth and higher earnings. For instance, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) helped over 23 million households access high‑speed broadband. (The White House)

3. Boost Digital Skills and Adoption

Fund training programs for workers, students, older adults, and underserved groups.
Encourage digital literacy so people can use online tools, e‑services, data, e‑commerce.
Leverage libraries, community centers, non‑profits as adoption hubs.

Economic impact: When people are equipped to use the Internet effectively, they can participate more fully — starting businesses, accessing remote jobs, using telehealth, engaging in e‑learning. One study found rural counties with >80% broadband adoption had 213% higher business growth, 10% higher self‑employment growth, and 44% higher GDP growth compared to similar low‑adoption counties. (NTCA - The Rural Broadband Association)

4. Leverage Public Data and Connectivity for Innovation

Make government‑data open, accessible, safe and useful.
Encourage private‑public innovation using connectivity/data (smart cities, IoT, telemedicine).
Ensure privacy and ethical standards to maintain trust.

Economic impact: Open data and connectivity power new business models and services. For example, broadband-expansion benefits extend beyond basic connectivity into sectors like manufacturing, professional services, and technology—with one study showing that broadband investment led to output increases of $16.9 billion in the information sector, $11.9 billion in professional services, and $6.85 billion in manufacturing. (ITIF)

5. Measure, Monitor, and Ensure Equity

Develop national strategy with clear metrics for availability, adoption, speed, affordability.
Ensure underserved populations (by geography, income, race, disability, language) are explicitly included.
Monitor outcomes and require accountability when funds are spent.
Focus on “last mile” and hardest‑to‑reach populations where private investment is weakest.
Improve mapping and data quality so investments target true gaps. (NTIA)

Why It Pays for Everyone

Jobs: Broadband expansion drives construction, tech, service jobs. E.g., investment via federal programs might create up to 230,000 jobs. (arxiv.org)
Economic Growth: The multipliers show that public investment yields more than dollars in—dollars out. For every $1 invested in broadband, return may be ~$2.45 in GDP. (ITIF)
Education and Skills: Students with better Internet access perform better; workers gain new opportunities for remote work, online training. Affordable connectivity means families are online, children learning, adults upskilling.
Resilience and Innovation: High‑speed Internet enables telehealth, remote work, smart manufacturing, global connectivity—all of which make the economy stronger and more flexible.
Housing and Community Value: Fiber‑deployment study estimates $1.64 trillion in increased housing value and $1.6 trillion in increased household income with full-scale fiber access. (Fiber Broadband Association)

Conclusion: A Smart Investment

By expanding access, lowering costs, improving digital skills, and unlocking data, the federal government can create real economic value for every American. The cost is significant, but the benefits are far greater. Every dollar invested today can generate multiple dollars in growth tomorrow.

Going all‑in on universal Internet access is not just the right thing to do. It is the smart thing to do for our economy and our future prosperity.