Life without reliable internet remains a daily struggle for millions of Americans–NPR
The Duck Valley Indian Reservation is home to the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes and comprises about 450 square miles along the Idaho/Nevada border. Only one power line goes into it, shown here along Highway 51. – Kyle Green for NPR
The pandemic has laid bare the importance of having a high-speed internet connection, as many Americans have been forced to conduct their lives online. Yet, tens of millions of people across the country, especially in rural areas and tribal lands, lack the kind of fast or reliable connection they need for things like work, school and telehealth.
The $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill recently signed by President Biden aims to help alleviate the problem by setting aside $65 billion for investment in broadband. Its biggest allocations would give $42.5 billion to states to fund broadband infrastructure, as well as $14.25 billion in subsidies to help low-income households afford internet access.