States with broadband funding program have better access

Rural researchers describe their new work on broadband policy in the Daily Yonder, focusing on how three specific policies—state funding for broadband, presence of a state broadband office, and restrictions on municipal or cooperative broadband provision—affect access. The authors find that state broadband funding is the only policy consistently associated with availability of high-speed internet and multiple internet options, particularly for rural places. This work is especially relevant in the context of telework and remote learning in the pandemic. #covid-19 #rural