Expanding Broadband Infrastructure

Reliable, high-speed internet improves access to education, employment, and health care opportunities and is associated with increased economic development. Broadband access can foster social connectedness, strengthen community support, and decrease loneliness. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical need for broadband access.
In 2020, the federal government passed the Broadband DATA Act to improve access and speeds
by 2025. An estimated 19 million Americans lack access to reliable internet. Over half of U.S. counties (57%) experience speeds below the federally defined standard (25 Mbps down/3 Mbps up). This percentage jumps to 65% in rural counties.
In Wisconsin, it is estimated that 88% of urban residents live in areas with broadband infrastructure, while only 79% of rural households and 32% of households on tribal lands are in areas where
broadband is available. However, even where infrastructure may be present, access to broadband may continue to be lacking. Low-income neighborhoods in urban areas have been systematically excluded from broadband services through “digital redlining”, where major network providers systematically
exclude lower-income neighborhoods from broadband service–deploying only sub-standard, low-speed home internet.
Households with a Broadband Internet Connection

65% 70% 75% 80% 85% 90% 95% 100%
Percentage of Households with a Broadband Internet Connection

Broadband Access Among WI Counties

• Nearly 83% of Wisconsin households have a broadband internet connection, close to the national average of 82.7%. Iowa and
Minnesota have similar access at 80.8% and 84.8%, respectively. Washington has the highest broadband access at 88.3% and Mississippi has the lowest at 71.5%.
• Among Wisconsin counties, there is considerable variation. Waukesha County has the highest
access at 90%, while Ashland County has the lowest at 71%.
• Significant differences exist based on income. Higher income equals more broadband access across rural and urban counties. Households earning less than $20,000 annually are more
likely to go without access than higher-income households. This is true whether the household is in rural Wisconsin or Milwaukee County. About 50% to 60% of households earning less than

70.7% – 75.4%
79.7% – 83.8%

75.5% – 79.6%
83.9% – 89.9%

$20,000 lack access to broadband internet.

Broadband Internet Access in Wisconsin by Urbanization and Household Income

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Percentage of Households with a Broadband Internet Connection

Call to Action
In addition to broadband infrastructure, internet adoption and digital literacy are key components of equitable access. Adoption includes expanding access to devices people can use to access broadband.
All of these aspects of good broadband infrastructure, or lack thereof, are elevated during difficult times such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Expanding access across Wisconsin requires strategies to address infrastructure, affordability, and adoption. Wisconsin communities and state level leaders are already involved in efforts to address these issues, but additional work is required. Recommendations include:
• Focusing on increased access to broadband via infrastructure projects in unserved and underserved areas. Comprehensive efforts can also address geographic, social and economic factors that affect broadband adoption, such as the cost of internet service and devices and digital literacy skills.
• Supporting gap networks (hyper local networks built to address affordability) through regulation, technical assistance, bulk equipment purchasing, and funding.
• Establishing partnerships with providers, neighboring areas, anchor institutions, and businesses that are essential for communities to expand access.
• Ensuring broadband deployment has a low-cost offer and financially supports digital inclusion in areas that have experienced disinvestment, such as rural and segregated urban areas.

Wisconsin Communities in Action
Cable, Wisconsin: The Town of Cable has prioritized bringing broadband to its rural community. The town partnered with Norvado Communications to provide matching funds for a grant that provided fiber optic access to Cable and surrounding communities. In 2020, Norvado Communications worked with the local school district to provide internet to low-income households. As a result, 97% of students were able to access the internet for at-home online learning.