Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., unveiled a plan on Aug. 7 to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet via publicly owned and operated broadband networks.
In the proposal, titled "My Plan for Rural America" and published on Medium, Ms. Warren outlined her idea for a "public option for broadband" to ensure all Americans have access to certain economic opportunities and healthcare resources such as telemedicine.
Among other points, the plan dictates the creation of an Office of Broadband Access within the Department of Economic Development to manage an $85 billion grant program to fund the expansion of high-speed public broadband, with $5 billion set aside specifically for increasing internet access on Native American lands.
Ms. Warren's plan also details her promise to pass the Digital Equity Act, first introduced by a group of Democratic senators led by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., in April. The act calls for the investment of $2.5 billion over 10 years to help states educate residents with the skills necessary to "fully participate in our online economy," per Ms. Warren.
Read more from Ms. Warren's plan here.
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