Lawmakers and industry groups disagree over plans for broadband funding

Congress's record $65 billion for broadband infrastructure funding has the potential to make the White House's goal of connecting all Americans a reality—unless it gets mired in squabbling. The way the money will be divided up is still very much in flux as the Senate considers how to turn the framework into legislation. Lawmakers like Sen Angus King (I-ME)—who introduced the BRIDGE Act with Sens Rob Portman (R-OH) and Michael Bennet (D-CO)—want $40 billion to go to the states to use for broadband. Industry groups such as USTelectom and NCTA - The Internet and Television Association want to target funding to areas without broadband and create a permanent broadband subsidy program to help consumers afford service. A key question is how policymakers will address the affordability and adoption issues at play in the digital divide; how and where the billions of dollars are spent could be the difference between success and failure in achieving universal broadband access.