FFB Week 47 – Economic Benefits of Fiber Deployment

Around 62 million Broadband Serviceable Locations (BSLs), including at least 56 million U.S. households, currently lack fiber broadband access, even though some already have high-speed broadband. Studies show that fiber deployment offers substantial economic benefits beyond existing high-speed technologies, suggesting that public investment in fiber would yield high social returns. Programs like Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, which prioritize fiber, are crucial for maximizing economic gains. Fiber deployment could increase housing values by $1.64 trillion and provide a income boost of $1.6 trillion in terms of net present value, primarily benefiting non-urban areas. Additionally, fiber could create 380,000 jobs, support remote work, and enhance educational and health outcomes. As a future-proof solution, fiber can meet rising connectivity demands, making it a strategic long-term investment for broadband infrastructure.

With Special Guests:

Coleman Bazelon Partner and Co-Lead of IP Practice, Brattle Group’s DC Office

Paroma Sanyal Partner and Co-Lead of Telecom, Media, and Entertainment Practice, Brattle Group’s DC Office