Four Years of Broadband Growth

Broadband access is an essential part of our economy. Given the reliance of so many American businesses and families on this basic technology, it's easy to overlook that just 15 years ago broadband barely existed for consumers.To create jobs and grow wages at home, and to compete in the global information economy, the delivery of fast, affordable and reliable broadband service to all corners of the United States must be a national imperative. The build-out of broadband infrastructure itself is a major driver of American investment and job creation, but even more significant are the ways that connectivity is transforming a range of industries, from education to entertainment to agriculture to travel. High-speed wired and wireless networks place the United States at the center of a digital economy that is one of the brightest parts of our short-term recovery and long-term competitiveness.This report highlights (1) the status of broadband development in the United States in 2013, including both progress made in achieving greater availability to broadband as well as the significant remaining challenges of timely and affordable deployment of broadband to all Americans; (2) several important contributions of the Obama Administration over the last four years that have accelerated the growth of broadband technology; and (3) two key opportunities for further action.