The bipartisan BRIDGE Act recognizes the vital role that States, Tribal Governments and US Territories have played, and must continue to play, in ensuring that every household in America, whether rural or urban, has robust and affordable broadband. As we saw during the pandemic, these entities have an excellent sense of how to address broadband needs on the ground. It is essential that they remain partners with the federal government in closing the digital divide.

Importantly, the BRIDGE Act prioritizes unserved, underserved areas with investment in “future-proof “networks, ensuring that we build once with technology that can scale to meet the ever-growing desire for increased bandwidth. The bill raises the bar for broadband speeds – requiring at least 100/100 and encouraging gigabit connections and pre-empts state bans on community-built networks. Finally, and critically, the BRIDGE Act recognizes that funding broadband availability is only part of the solution to closing the digital divide – initiatives to ensure affordability and digital equity must also be part of the equation.

There is no doubt – broadband is essential infrastructure. Yet tens of millions of people in the US have waited too long to receive the benefits it enables. Congress should pass the BRIDGE Act or make it a part of any infrastructure bill moving forward.