Digital Infrastructure Networks: Meeting the Broadband Challenge for State Governments

Digital Infrastructure Networks: Meeting the Broadband Challenge for State Governments explores how fiber serves as the essential backbone connecting the core internet to last-mile providers and why state leadership is critical to accelerating deployment at the scale the nation requires.

Fiber is the foundation of AI, powering the high-capacity, low-latency, secure connectivity that links data centers, cloud infrastructure, and the communities that depend on them. To meet rising national demand, the U.S. must scale fiber deployment 2.3x by 2029. This goal requires accelerated infrastructure builds and strong coordination among states, utilities, and industry partners.

This resource outlines how governors and state agencies can lead this effort through a “Build Smart, Dig Once” approach to leverage cross-agency coordination, strategic use of state-owned assets, streamlined permitting, and open-access models to lower costs and expand reach. A statewide Digital Corridor functions like an interstate highway system for data, connecting cities, rural towns, schools, hospitals, and public safety networks while lowering the cost of broadband expansion and strengthening economic competitiveness.

Inaction carries real risk. States that fail to plan for digital infrastructure miss investment opportunities, forfeit federal funds, and fall behind in the AI-enabled economy. States that act build a lasting digital legacy that outlives election cycles and serves future generations.

Resource FAQ’s

1. What is this resource about?
   How state governments can lead fiber deployment through smart coordination, policy levers, and a “Dig Once” approach to build lasting digital infrastructure.
2. What are Digital Infrastructure Networks?
   Networks that connect the core internet backbone to last-mile providers, making affordable, reliable broadband possible — especially in rural and underserved communities.
3. Why does the U.S. need to scale fiber deployment?
   Fiber is the foundation of AI and cloud connectivity. The U.S. must scale deployment 2.3x by 2029 to meet rising national demand for data capacity and reliability.
4. What is the “Dig Once” strategy?
   A coordinated approach that installs conduit and fiber infrastructure during road, utility, or construction projects to reduce costs and avoid redundant excavation.
5. What is a Digital Corridor?
   A statewide fiber backbone — analogous to an interstate highway system — that moves data across a state, connecting cities, rural towns, schools, hospitals, and future innovation hubs.
6. What role do governors play?
   Governors control the key policy levers: cross-agency alignment, permitting modernization, strategic use of state-owned assets, and long-term infrastructure planning.
7. How can states fund digital infrastructure after BEAD?
   States can secure BEAD non-deployment dollars, develop state grant programs, clarify ownership models, and pursue public-private partnerships to close remaining funding gaps.
8. Who should use this resource?
   Governors, state broadband offices, DOT and utility agencies, economic development officials, and policymakers shaping broadband strategy and investment decisions.