Broadband. It’s time for a historic step forward.
by National ACE
The massive economic harm caused by COVID-19 has required swift and necessary stimulus from the Federal Government. However, more must be done to get our economy back on track. One of the best areas for Congress and the Trump Administration to focus involves promoting high-speed Internet service and specifically, ending the persistent “broadband gap” that exists between those who have access to high-speed broadband and those that do not.
In the U.S. as a whole, the benefits from solving the broadband gap would be substantial. More people could find employment, improve their workplace skills, access healthcare, and be better informed.
For Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, the benefits of economic stimulus around broadband would be vast, and would effectively solve many important and persistent problems facing our community.
In many respects, the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community is a study in contrasts. For example, we are America’s wealthiest consumer segment. The buying power of the combined AAPI community is the fastest growing of all racial groups in the U.S., reaching almost $1 trillion in 2017. By 2022, it is likely to reach $1.3 trillion.
Yet there are smaller groups in our community which suffer high rates of poverty and as a result, our community is also experience the greatest income inequality of all ethnic groups in the U.S. This is often overlooked due to the financial success of the community as a whole. For example, Hmong, Cambodian, and Laotian Americans suffer some of the country’s highest poverty rates, often more than double the national rate.
A future in which everyone in these communities accesses high-speed internet service is a future in which the community gains an important economic lifeline that helps them become more productive.
Ending the broadband gap would also provide important opportunities for our businesses and professional communities. Asian American workers make up 27% of all technology sector workers. Our members are the second most represented group for occupations such as physicians (20 percent), pharmacists (18 percent), and dentists (14.5 percent). We account for 18% of IT workers, the largest percentage of any ethnic group.
In particular, our millennial entrepreneurs have shown an ability to be highly flexible and adjust easily to fast-changing business environments. As one of the most technologically inclined ethnic groups in America, we have learned to adopt technology to business rather than be conquered by it.
Our community will benefit tremendously if Federal officials promote greater Internet investment and remove outdated barriers to deploy broadband technology. With the U.S. unemployment rate at 14.7% and possibly going as high as 25%, the coronavirus pandemic has been merciless in destroying our economic base. By expanding broadband to everyone, Congress and the Administration would help the country take a giant step forward during this historic opportunity.