President Joe Biden took a pointed jab at Donald Trump on February 27 while unveiling his strategy to broaden broadband access throughout the United States. Emphasizing the critical nature of high-speed internet for educational, business, and agricultural purposes, Biden voiced his commitment to ensuring that American children wouldn’t have to depend on public Wi-Fi for their studies. This statement subtly criticized Trump’s previous underestimation of the need for widespread broadband connectivity.
“We’re building affordable high-speed internet everywhere in America. So your children don’t have to sit in a McDonald’s parking lot to do their homework, businesses are able to thrive, and farmers and ranchers are able to sell their products,” Biden wrote on X.
Biden, on the other hand, has made broadband access a key priority of his administration, as part of his $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan.
During his tenure, Trump had expressed skepticism about the demand for advanced internet services in rural areas, suggesting that residents were content with their existing services and showed little interest in advancements like 5G. He had also been resistant to allocating federal funds for the development of broadband infrastructure, viewing it as a responsibility of state and local governments rather than a federal concern.
Contrastingly, Biden has placed a high emphasis on internet access, integrating it as a central element of his $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan. This ambitious initiative allocates $7.6 billion towards the Emergency Connectivity Fund, aimed at supplying schools and libraries with essential technology such as Wi-Fi hotspots and devices to support educators and students. Additionally, the plan earmarks $10 billion for the Capital Projects Fund, dedicated to extending broadband services to underserved regions.
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has starkly highlighted the digital divide within the nation, revealing the challenges faced by countless Americans in adapting to remote work, online learning, and digital communication. Biden stressed the indispensable role of broadband in not only the nation’s recovery from the pandemic but also in ensuring its economic vitality and global competitiveness.
Describing broadband as the modern-day equivalent of electricity, Biden argued that access to reliable internet is not merely a convenience but a fundamental need. He envisions his broadband initiative as a catalyst for job creation, innovation, and a step towards mitigating social inequality, stating, “Broadband is the new electricity. It is necessary for Americans to do their jobs, to participate equally in school learning, health care, and to stay connected.”