For tens of millions of Americans, a lack of access to broadband internet has ramifications that extend beyond streaming the latest Netflix show.
The importance of reliable high-speed internet for students and businesses is well-documented. Connecting with peers and teachers or researching homework is a basic function of modern education. Connecting with customers or researching products and placing orders is a basic function of modern business.
But there also are less-obvious impacts. For example, a study from the University of Chicago at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic showed a relationship between COVID mortality and a lack of internet access — even when adjusting for socioeconomic factors.
In other words, the internet is equivalent to running water and electricity as a fundamental aspect of modern life. And high-speed broadband should be viewed as a basic utility. Yet more than 10 percent of Americans — typically in rural areas — do not have access to the latest internet services.
Therefore, it is encouraging that Comcast is working to expand broadband internet in rural areas of Clark County. “We are particularly proud of this partnership, which will see Comcast constructing the necessary infrastructure to deliver a robust, fiber-rich network and a full suite of services to over 500 homes and businesses,” company officials said after winning a bid from Clark County.
But at the same time, it is discouraging that many local residents remain in the relative dark ages of internet service. According to a recent study from HostinAdvice, Clark County saw 3 percent growth in broadband access over the past four years — among the smallest growth rates in the state. Meanwhile, Washington has seen slow growth when compared with other states.
In 2021, as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the federal government implemented the Affordable Connectivity Program — a benefit of up to $30 a month to help people connect with broadband internet. More than 20 million households signed up, but Congress allowed the program to expire this year.
Last year, Gov. Jay Inslee lauded a $1.2 billion federal investment to expand high-speed internet networks in Washington. Progress has been made, but more is needed. And efforts to promote that progress should include discussions about the role of public utilities in providing broadband service.
As he campaigned for Clark Public Utilities commissioner this year, Chris Thobaben advocated for the utility to take the lead in providing internet service throughout the county. Thobaben did not qualify for the general election — Sherry Erickson and James Oneil were the top two vote-getters — but the board of commissioners should consider his proposal. As Thobaben told The Columbian’s Editorial Board: “This is not reinventing the wheel. We just have to actually take it as a priority here.”
That effectively distills the issue. Nearly a century ago, the federal government led a push to bring electricity to all American households, recognizing that it was a basic necessity. Thousands of local utility districts were formed throughout the country to bring that goal to fruition.
Now, high-speed internet service is a basic necessity that requires attention. Whether a public-private partnership or a public entity can provide the best solution will depend on the jurisdiction. But throughout the country, governments should view high-speed internet as a priority.
