Sometimes it is believed that the beginning and end of solving the digital divide is to provide internet access to everyone. But what are the benefits of connecting if you actually do anything too slowly? This is why broadband speed is crucial to consider. Unfortunately, as the U.S. strives to provide high-speed broadband nationwide, a new report found that the digital divide has increased in 32 states.
In a new report, data from July 2024 to December 1224, Ookla, an Internet analytics website,,,,, Only 22 states were found to be meeting the Federal Communications Commission’s minimum fixed broadband speed standard. Although this has solid growth from only nine states in the first half of 2024, most of the urban areas have improved. As a result, the overall gap between communities in 32 states widened. According to Ookla, Washington, Oregon, Illinois and Missouri, the gap between rural and urban communities is the largest.
Last year, the FCC raised the minimum standard for broadband speeds for the first time in a decade. Previously, it was stuck at 25 megabits per second and uploaded at 3 megabits per second. Its dramatic push is 100 Mbps/20 MPB. Chairman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement that the “overdue” changes are aligned with the bipartisan infrastructure law and “help us better determine the level of underserved in low-income and rural communities.”
While Ookla’s data is a bit frustrating, the reason for the growth gap is not a complete mystery. “We suspect some of these,” Sue Market, the author of the report, told CNET. [broadband] The division is attributed to [Affordable Connectivity Program] Finish. We may see more examples by the end of 2025. ”
The brief ACP provides low-income families with a letter of credit of $30 per month, or households on tribal lands $75 per month to apply for their internet bills. It also offers a one-time discount for laptops, desktops or tablets. According to the FCC, the program has registered 23 million households. However, it ended last June after Congress failed to provide additional funds.
The Ookla report also comes weeks after Trump threatened to end the Digital Equity Act, while slamming it as “racist” and “unconstitutional.” But while there are many setbacks in ending the digital divide, there are still some improvements. According to FCC data, between June 2023 and 2024, the number of locations that can provide services that meet their lowest broadband speeds increased by 2.6 million. Additionally, the FCC found that the number of locations with cable broadband services increased by 1.1 million.
According to Ookla, part of the expansion is likely due to funding provided by the government through programs such as the Digital Equity Grant Program and the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund.
Last month, the Trump administration delayed plans to expand broadband access, access and deployment to high-speed internet access. Beads were originally intended to prioritize fiber networks. However, with the delay of the program, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced that it is conducting a detailed review to “remove unnecessary rules and authorizations, improve efficiency, and adopt a more technical neutral approach to cut unnecessary traditional tape and simplified deployment.”
Why? Well, March reports suggest that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told program leaders to prioritize unreliable satellite internet. Per CNET is currently the only qualified satellite internet provider, Starlink, owned by Trump’s friend Elon Musk. Coincidentally, it turns out that Lutnik also mentioned Musk’s name.
Even with the delay of the bead plan, Ookla said “expected[s] See more developments in broadband coverage in 2025. ”
