Bill Overview
Title: Connect Unserved Americans Act of 2022
Description: This bill modifies administration of and requirements for broadband deployment programs. Specifically, it requires the Department of the Treasury to participate in interagency activities to coordinate federally supported broadband deployment. The bill also increases the percentage (from 50% to 80%) of rural households that a project must serve in order to receive a grant or a loan to expand access to broadband for distance learning and telemedicine in rural areas.
Sponsors: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Target Audience
Population: People living in rural areas lacking sufficient broadband access
Estimated Size: 14000000
- The bill is focused on broadband deployment programs, which primarily impact areas that lack sufficient broadband access.
- Rural households are specifically mentioned, with the requirement for a project to serve 80% of rural households to receive funding, indicating the primary focus on rural populations.
- The mention of expanding broadband for distance learning and telemedicine highlights the importance of the bill for students and healthcare access.
- Generally, people in rural areas who currently do not have adequate broadband access will be the primary beneficiaries of this bill.
Reasoning
- The population primarily affected by the policy are individuals living in rural areas of the U.S. without sufficient broadband access. Therefore, the simulated interviews focus on people living in these settings.
- We considered a range of individuals including farmers, rural teachers, and seniors living in small town communities, as they're most likely the ones to be directly impacted by improved broadband access for educational and health purposes.
- The policy's emphasis on distance learning and telemedicine suggests that students, educators, and those reliant on healthcare services in rural areas may experience the most significant shifts in wellbeing.
- While some individuals may not be directly impacted such as those already having adequate broadband, indirect benefits can still arise from overall community enhancements.
- Budgetary allocation was factored into projecting limited reach initially, allowing for a gradual, expanding effect in boost to wellbeing over 20 years as infrastructure improves.
Simulated Interviews
Elementary School Teacher (Macon County, Alabama)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Lack of reliable internet makes online teaching challenging.
- Better internet access would help my students a lot, especially during pandemic times.
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 |
Farmer (Osage County, Kansas)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Faster internet would help me keep up with market trends without travel.
- Currently, it takes forever to load an email with price updates.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Nurse (Rio Arriba County, New Mexico)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our patients need consistent telehealth capabilities.
- The current internet situation fails our elders who find travel difficult.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Student (Somerset County, Maine)
Age: 19 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I often miss live sessions because our internet cuts out or lags.
- Enhancing our internet would improve both education and quality of life for many here.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Retired (Mineral County, West Virginia)
Age: 67 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Sometimes I can't get the health support I need because calls drop.
- Good internet is needed especially since I don't drive much anymore.
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 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Agricultural Extension Agent (Beaver County, Oklahoma)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Good broadband means effective communication and resource sharing.
- Right now, it's hard to do webinars without interruptions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Local Business Owner (Webster County, Iowa)
Age: 50 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Fast internet would let us expand our market and community reach.
- Current speeds hurt our potential growth.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
College Student (Bolivar County, Mississippi)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I need reliable internet for my coding projects and lectures.
- The bill seems like it could really bolster educational success here.
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 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
High School Principal (Grant County, Washington)
Age: 46 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Secure and fast internet is essential for school operations and student success.
- We are at a disadvantage compared to urban areas.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Homemaker (Pickens County, Georgia)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Internet allows access to necessary health resources and family communication.
- Currently, slow speeds limit our options.
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 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $750000000 (Low: $600000000, High: $900000000)
Year 2: $1500000000 (Low: $1200000000, High: $1800000000)
Year 3: $1500000000 (Low: $1200000000, High: $1800000000)
Year 5: $1500000000 (Low: $1200000000, High: $1800000000)
Year 10: $1500000000 (Low: $1200000000, High: $1800000000)
Year 100: $1500000000 (Low: $1200000000, High: $1800000000)
Key Considerations
- The effectiveness of broadband deployment relies on adequate infrastructure, skilled labor, and favorable regulatory environments.
- Inter-agency coordination is crucial to avoid overlaps and inefficiencies in broadband deployment efforts.
- Long-term benefits of improved broadband access, such as higher productivity and reduced healthcare costs, should be considered when evaluating the policy.