Turbocharging Our Broadband Future

November 22, 2024

Washington has spent years debating the pros and cons of applying century-old regulations to the near limitless potential of U.S. broadband networks. Both sides of these weary debates can recite their arguments in their sleep. The question implicit in them: How much connectivity progress can be made despite the continual drag of outdated policies?

Today we have a generational opportunity to flip that thinking on its head. Rather than defibrillate carbon-dated regulations, we can choose instead to jump start American innovation, investment and broadband's boundless possibilities.

Our nation has a real choice. We can continue to allow calcified regulatory tentacles to wrap themselves around our innovation economy. Or we can fundamentally reset how government, the private sector and local communities work together to get the big things done.

This requires us to take a fresh, hard look at outdated regulations, yes, but also outmoded mindsets-reimagining the right framework for moving American innovation forward.

As we re-engineer for this future, we must continue to hold one truth as self-evident: broadband is foundational to every aspect of American greatness.

We all want our country to be the most competitive nation, an enduring global economic superpower, propelled by hyper-innovative entrepreneurs and businesses. We want the best schools, hospitals and infrastructure, good-paying jobs, and secure neighborhoods and borders. Each of these priorities demand policies that help turbocharge broadband investment. When betting on America's future, there simply is no greater ROI.

Broadband companies are doing their part. Despite sustained regulatory headwinds, the industry invested close to $100 billion in communications infrastructure last year, delivering fiber to more communities, integrating world-class wired and wireless networks, and working with government to overcome deep economic barriers to connecting more rural homes and businesses. The latter partnership is vital, and we have the opportunity to make it even better, smarter and more efficient to connect America for the long haul.

America's broadband providers are ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work with the new Administration, Congress and the states. In the weeks ahead, we will have more to say about specific policy details and priorities. Through it all, we will bring every fiber of our experience, commitment and can do/will do spirit to the collective task before us.