Broadband Adoption Accounted for Nearly 11 Percent of U.S. GDP Growth Over Ten Years

In case you missed it, Telecom Advisory Services released a new study that demonstrates the critical impact of expanded broadband adoption for the American economy — highlighting the key role broadband plays in supporting economic growth and opportunity.

Key highlights from the study include:

• Increases in the adoption of fixed broadband service from 2010 to 2020 added $1.3 trillion to the gross domestic product (GDP) of the United States — 11 percent of the total GDP increase over that ten-year period.
• Total GDP would have been “almost $4,000 less per year for the average American” had broadband adoption rates remained at 2010 levels.
• Between 2010-2020, the average download speed in America increased from 10 Mbps to more than 174 Mbps.
• Increases in broadband adoption and speeds had a comparable impact on U.S. GDP growth to growth in human capital and the labor market overall.

Access to affordable, reliable broadband — and the digital devices and skills needed to succeed in the 21^st century digital economy and classroom — are essential to achieve greater equity in society, maintain America’s economic edge, and achieve greater prosperity for every American community.

Read more about the Telecom Advisory Services report HERE.

Learn more about how federal agencies can maximize the effectiveness of bipartisan infrastructure resources to eliminate the digital divide HERE.

Learn more about solutions to permanently close the broadband gap HERE.

Read more on Connect Americans Now (CAN) and our mission HERE.

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