Broadband

Progressive States Network supports legislators in developing a comprehensive plan to support local investment and economic growth through universal access, adoption, and utilization of broadband.

Broadband Key Policies:

• Universal Broadband, where networks exist in all areas of the country and all Americans can access those networks at reasonable costs. Specific policies include: Establishing Broadband Councils or Task Forces, Mapping the Availability of Broadband Infrastructure, Protecting Local Broadband Networks, and Making Broadband Affordable by reforming the Universal Service Fund.  Find out more about Community-Based Broadband Networks.
• Education and Community Media Infrastructure: Funding Community-Based Technology Centers, Expanding Broadband Access through Anchor Institutions, and Identifying Community Technology Liaisons
• Leveraging Technology for Economic Development, Health, Energy and Educational Opportunities: Promoting new opportunities for better interaction between patients and medical staff in a more efficient and cost-saving way, and facilitating various ways of learning, like online learning programs, that enable students in remote, small, or poor areas to take courses they could not otherwise access.
• Networking the Green Economy : Through the smart grid, integrating intermittent renewable energy sources as well as reducing wasted energy that is transmitted and distributed from one geographic location to another.