American Connection Project

Million

without access to broadband internet

It’s about so much more than an internet connection. It’s about the future. It’s about enabling families to access health care options, students to learn virtually or a business to access critical infrastructure to grow their business and local economy. Help us make a difference to enable a better tomorrow for everyone.

CONNECTION ENABLES

Economic growth

CONNECTION ENABLES

Community engagement

CONNECTION ENABLES

Entrepreneurship

CONNECTION ENABLES

Telehealth access

CONNECTION ENABLES

Distance learning

Our voices
make a difference

Too many Americans are being left behind – but a historic investment was made in 2021. Community leaders and policy makers across the country are making decisions right now about how we’re going to bridge the #digitaldivide in America. Your voice can make a difference -- help us tell this story to ensure that every American gets connected and we close the #digital divide no matter where you live.

Connectivity is an imperative

The digital divide stands in the way of a better future for everyone – and we all have a role to play to ensure that broadband investment is used wisely for the benefit of all Americans. to ensure that policymakers

Emails

Limited access to basic communication tools

The average American interacts with more than 120 emails every day. Imagine making it through your day without something as basic as email. How would you get through your day managing your work, your family, your purchases and beyond?

Think about all the different ways your Too many Americans don’t have this the basic ability to regularly check email.

An investment in shared prosperity

A Deloitte study from 2021 showed a strong correlation between broadband availability, jobs and economic growth -- a 10 percent increase in broadband access could result in more than 875,000 jobs and nearly $40 billion in economic output.

Communities large and small, rural and urban -- all benefit from broadband connectivity.

mbps

Lack of connectivity doesn’t take one form

According to recent research by PEW, the digital divide extends across rural and urban communities -- rural and urban schools, rural and urban hospitals are all restrained by a lack of broadband access – in fact, the number of Americans without reliable access to download speeds of at least 25 megabytes per second (Mbps)—could be over 163 million.

Connectivity is a catalyst for *all* communities.

Unlocking new businesses

A study from Deloitte found that providing access to digital tools to start new businesses in rural communities yielded $66,000 of startup capital with interest from dozens of backers. Imagine the untapped potential for new businesses, new products, new solutions and better services —unlocked by connectivity.

Think about how connectivity could unleash a whole new era of entrepreneurial activity.

Distance learning depends on connectivity

77 percent of U.S. public schools reported moving classes to online distance-learning formats during COVID-19. Without a stable, high-quality internet connection, many students in underserved communities were unable to do their homework. 46 percent of schools in rural communities and 30 percent of schools in city/urban communities offered spaces where students without internet access could connect to do schoolwork, according to a study from the National Center for Education Statistics.

The digital divide crosses both geographic and economic lines -- especially within education.

underserved

Telehealth is more important than ever

In the past decade more than 120 medical facilities closed in rural areas and now. 80 percent of rural America is designated as “medically underserved” by the federal government, according to KHN. KHN Telehealth options are essential, but many do not have access to broadband internet to use them

Think about being in a situation where you require health care, small check-ins, and not having access to health care.

Let’s not hold ourselves back

Use your voice and share this story

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Connectivity is a necessity – and broadband for all means opportunities for all.

How to make a difference

Our solution is much more than just laying the fiber to create connectivity. It involves establishing governance, mapping the current gaps, developing an implementation plan, and creating fail-safe plans for when things go wrong.

BETTER MAPS AND DATA

Today, we don't have a clear picture of where the greatest areas of need are for connectivity. It's important that data is used to build accurate maps that inform where the greatest need for broadband connectivity lies.
INCREASE AFFORDABILITY AND INCLUSION

Affordability and digital inclusion should be at the forefront of the discussion around connectivity. We encourage efforts to improve not only access to quality broadband internet connectivity but its affordability as well.
ROLL OUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE

Leaders across the country are making decisions right now on how to roll out the $65 billion investment in broadband internet that was signed into law in the fall of 2021. Closing the digital divide is critical to unlock a more inclusive and prosperous America.

OUR PARTNERS

175 organizations fuel a variety of American Connection Project efforts, from advocating for continued investment in broadband to connecting and lifting all American communities through access to modern digital technology and beyond.