According to the FCC’s Eighth Broadband Progress Report, approximately 1.5 million businesses in the United States do not have access to fixed broadband service at threshold speeds. This represents about 6% of all businesses in the country.
The report defines “threshold speeds” as download speeds of at least 25 Mbps and upload speeds of at least 3 Mbps. These speeds are considered necessary for businesses to conduct basic online tasks such as email, web browsing, and file sharing.
The report also found that the lack of broadband access is disproportionately affecting small businesses. About 11% of businesses with fewer than 20 employees do not have access to broadband, compared to just 3% of businesses with 500 or more employees.
The lack of broadband access can have a significant impact on businesses. Businesses without broadband may be unable to compete with businesses that have broadband, or they may be forced to pay higher prices for services that require broadband access. In addition, businesses without broadband may be unable to attract and retain customers, or they may be unable to comply with government regulations that require the use of broadband.
The federal government has taken steps to address the lack of broadband access in the United States. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 provides $65 billion to expand broadband access to unserved and underserved areas. The law also includes the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides a discount on internet service for low-income households.
These efforts are a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to ensure that all businesses in the United States have access to broadband.
