Sanders Promises High-Speed Internet Access for All if Elected

According to CNBC, presidential candidate Bernie Sanders plans on taking large internet and telecom companies by force with his “High-Speed Internet for All” proposal.

The goal of the proposal is to give all Americans access to high-speed internet. It would create $150 billion in grants and aid for local and state governments to construct broadband networks, which would fit under the umbrella of the Green New Deal initiative, CNBC says. The “High-Speed Internet for All” plan would also split up “monopolies” created by internet and telecom companies, and stop those companies from offering content and “anticompetitive merger” opportunities. Additionally, those companies would also have to offer a “basic” broadband packages at “an ‘affordable price.’”

A major target of this proposal is to help Americans located in rural and low-income areas get better access to high-speed internet, since the internet has “become a necessity to succeed in school and business,” according to CNBC.

A Solution Soon?

Regardless of whether or not Sanders wins the democratic seat in the presidential election, other running mates are proposing similar solutions to poor access to high-speed internet, especially in rural and low-income areas. For example, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Mayor Pete Buttigieg revealed plans to “invest at least $80 billion in rural broadband;” former Vice President Joe Biden released a plan to put “$20 million into expanding rural internet access.”

As a result, if any of these candidates makes it to the White House, Americans’ internet access needs will be covered, and will increase Americans’ overall success in schools and in the workplace. “Access to the internet is a necessity in today’s economy, and it should be available for all. We are going to take on the greedy internet, telecom, and cable monopolies and put an end to their absurd prices gauging,” Sanders said in a previous statement.

If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our digital newsletters!