New Survey: Regulatory Reform and Private Investment Increase Broadband Access

Broadband remains a focal point in discussions as Congress continues to debate the various provisions in the infrastructure package. Recently, advocates for greater broadband access nationwide were given reason to cheer, and it has nothing to do with government spending taxpayer dollars. A recent surveyed conducted by CTIA  shows that access to fifth generation networks (5G) has increased rapidly over the last year. This trend promises to deliver better connectivity across the country and expanded access to data and messaging.

Roughly two years prior, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) implemented key cell tower siting reforms that guided infrastructure buildout for states and municipalities. Not only did these reforms provide a needed framework to pave the way for U.S. global leadership on 5G, they also added much-needed certainty around wireless infrastructure. Additionally, they streamlined the process for applications and allowed providers deploy their services more efficiently.

Also, key to bolstering networks was the significant impact of private investment. Many networks faced more than their fair share of usage during the COVID-19 pandemic. The role of private investment cannot be understated in keeping Americans connected when it was needed the most. Collectively, the efforts by private entities — fueled by roughly $112 billion of wireless capital investment since 2017 — helped expand 5G coverage to more than 300 million people in the U.S.

These are not the only factors contributing to the increased volume of service available to consumers. The repurposing and auction of spectrum has also played an important role in this effort. According to the survey, “The wireless industry invested ~$85 billion in two auctions the FCC launched in 2020.” This enabled providers to deliver faster speed and higher capacity. These were integral to networks being able to handle the increased demand during the early days of COVID lockdowns.

As FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr stated in 2018, “We [the FCC] needed to update our approach, which we did in our recent order. That’s going to make a big difference in terms of helping us get 5G across the finish line.” The CTIA survey shows these efforts — coupled with private sector investment, infrastructure deployment, and repurposed spectrum — have made a significant difference. They have combined to increase Americans’ access to broadband while also protecting taxpayer dollars.

Lawmakers need to pay attention to these results. Many are foolishly waxing poetic about government command and control over broadband. This would fail to deliver results and would roll back the immense progress that’s been made in just the last few years. The market clearly responds better to a hands-off approach that is driven by the private sector. There is no need to meddle with a system that is currently working just about as soundly as it ever has.

As lawmakers consider changes to broadband — whether as part of a broader infrastructure bill or not — they should closely analyze this data. If they read it properly, they will realize their job is exceedingly easy. All they have to do is remove themselves from the path of progress and American innovators will do what they do best. This should come as a relief to Americans in and out of government. 

Dan Savickas is Government Affairs Manager at Taxpayers Protection Alliance.