Connect Americans Now (CAN) is a group of concerned citizens, local organizations, rural advocates, and leading innovators committed to eliminating the digital divide that is holding back rural America. Our goal is a simple one: to bring affordable and reliable broadband to the 19.4 million rural Americans who lack connectivity by 2022, allowing them to take advantage of the same economic and educational opportunities that exist in other communities.

We can close the rural digital divide by unlocking a technology model that uses TV white spaces spectrum. Together with wireless technology, LTE fixed wireless, and satellite coverage, our plan of action will connect millions of Americans in a cost-effective manner.

The Digital Divide

Bridging the digital divide will finally give rural Americans access to necessary technology in healthcare, education, agriculture, small businesses, and more.

• Healthcare: Broadband-enabled telemedicine allows patients to access specialists and benefit from advanced monitoring services – saving lives in rural communities.
• Education: Closing the digital divide will provide millions of students with the same educational opportunities as their suburban counterparts, empowering them to become more informed in critical areas like math and science so they can thrive in their local communities.
• Agriculture: Broadband brings the promise of precision agriculture and remote monitoring equipment – helping farmers optimize irrigation, conserve resources, and increase yields.
• Small businesses: High-speed internet access enables rural small businesses to expand their customer base and attract new industries to rural communities.

Why TV White Spaces

The most cost-effective approach to closing the digital divide in rural America involves a combination of “wired” and “wireless” technologies, including fiber-based technologies and terrestrial and satellite fixed and mobile wireless technologies, leveraging a range of frequencies including the TV white spaces.

This powerful bandwidth is in the 700 MHz frequency range and enables wireless signals to travel over hills and through buildings and trees. Together with wireless technology, LTE fixed wireless, and satellite coverage, our plan of action will connect millions of Americans in a cost-effective manner.

To harness its potential, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must allocate sufficient spectrum below the 700 MHz frequency range for wireless use in every market in the country. By taking this step, the FCC will provide the certainty required to foster a nationwide marketplace that will deliver white space spectrum solutions at scale and at the lowest cost possible to consumers, bridging the digital divide.

Broadband Blackout Areas