Bill Overview
Title: PLAN for Broadband Act
Description: This bill directs the President to develop and implement a national strategy to improve the coordination and management of federally supported programs for expanding access to and adoption of broadband internet. The President must coordinate with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration on the strategy's implementation. The Government Accountability Office must study the effectiveness of the strategy and its implementation and make recommendations for improvement.
Sponsors: Rep. Walberg, Tim [R-MI-7]
Target Audience
Population: people worldwide with inadequate broadband access
Estimated Size: 30000000
- Broadband internet expansion affects individuals without current access, especially those in rural or remote areas where broadband infrastructure is lacking.
- Improved broadband access can significantly impact low-income individuals who may not afford access under current conditions.
- Schools, educational institutions, and students who rely on internet access for digital learning will be impacted by expanded and improved broadband.
- Businesses, especially small and medium enterprises, can benefit from reliable internet connectivity for operations, communication, and market expansion.
- Telehealth services, which require stable internet connections, will become more accessible, impacting individuals in rural areas without regular access to medical facilities.
Reasoning
- Broadband internet expansion primarily impacts regions without current access, notably rural and remote areas where broadband infrastructure is minimal.
- Low-income individuals benefit from increased affordability and availability of broadband, essential for job searches, remote work, and accessing online services.
- Educational institutions, particularly in underserved areas, see significant advantages as students gain new avenues for online learning.
- Small and medium-sized businesses can grow with reliable internet, facilitating communication, market expansion, and operational efficiency.
- Enhanced telehealth services through stable internet connections increase healthcare accessibility in rural regions where medical facilities are sparse.
Simulated Interviews
Elementary School Teacher (Rural Nebraska)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improved broadband will allow my students to have better access to educational resources.
- Remote teaching has been challenging due to inconsistent internet service.
- I believe this will help bridge the educational gap for rural students.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
IT Specialist (Urban New York)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy seems like it will help those in rural areas, but it won’t affect me much.
- I believe focusing on broadband in underserved areas is a correct priority.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Retired (Rural Alabama)
Age: 63 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Stronger internet would greatly improve my access to online healthcare services.
- Right now, telehealth is inconvenient due to dropped calls and video issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Small Business Owner (Suburban Ohio)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improved broadband will enhance my business operations, making us more competitive.
- Fast and reliable internet is critical for expanding my customer base.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Freelance Journalist (Urban Los Angeles)
Age: 40 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy seems crucial for less connected areas, but my needs in urban LA are already met.
- It's important for information equity across different regions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Fishing Guide (Remote Alaska)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With improved internet, I could better manage bookings and communicate with clients.
- Currently, I miss out on potential business due to unreliable internet.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
College Student (Rural Mississippi)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Better internet would significantly improve my educational experience.
- Currently, I face difficulties attending online classes and completing assignments.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Retired Engineer (Suburban Texas)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I’m more concerned about how the policy might change my current service or costs.
- Understanding benefits in underserved areas but personally unaffected.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Healthcare Worker (Urban Chicago)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This will greatly help our patients access telehealth services.
- Increased internet access will improve healthcare outcomes for underserved communities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
High School Student (Rural Kentucky)
Age: 19 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With better internet, I can more effectively complete my school assignments and research projects.
- Current slow speeds interfere with my ability to join video classes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $600000000 (Low: $500000000, High: $700000000)
Year 2: $550000000 (Low: $450000000, High: $650000000)
Year 3: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 5: $450000000 (Low: $350000000, High: $550000000)
Year 10: $300000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $400000000)
Year 100: $100000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $150000000)
Key Considerations
- The infrastructure development for broadband may require significant initial investments but provide long-term benefits.
- Coordination of existing broadband initiatives could lead to enhanced efficiencies, reducing overlap and costs.
- Monitoring and evaluation by the Government Accountability Office is crucial for ongoing improvement of the strategy.