US announces $42 billion plan to make high-speed internet universal by 2030

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Oh no! The poor satellite internet companies!

Map of US showing communication lines
(Image credit: metamorworks via Getty)

The White House today rolled out a plan outlining a road to universal high-speed internet access in the United States by 2030. The plan will draw on some $42 billion in funding from the $1 trillion 2021 infrastructure laws that Biden championed.

"It's the biggest investment in high-speed internet ever. Because for today's economy to work for everyone, internet access is just as important as electricity, or water, or other basic services," said President Joe Biden at the White House on Monday.

News agency Reuters reports that the plan will most funding will hit larger states like Texas and California, as well as those with large underserved rural populations, like Virginia, Alabama, and Louisiana. It also includes money for US territories, like the Virgin Islands. Rural populations in these areas are forced to rely on slow, unreliable satellite internet connections. (I'd know—I live in one and would be forced to use it, but for the grace of a lucky nearby fiber internet trunk.)

An accompanying statement by Vice President Kamala Harris said that "24 million people in our country do not have access to high-speed internet, either because they cannot afford the monthly cost of a plan or because they live in communities that have not yet been fully connected to fiber-optic networks. Every person in our nation, no matter where they live, should be able to access and afford high-speed internet."

I'll get back to you in 2030 about whether they succeed on this one.

Jonathan Bolding
Contributor

Jon Bolding is a games writer and critic with an extensive background in strategy games. When he's not on his PC, he can be found playing every tabletop game under the sun.