Issue Position: A Plan to Close the Digital Divide

Issue Position

Ed Gillespie's focus as governor will be to create and sustain economic growth and job creation for all Virginians in every region. Access to reliable high-speed internet service has become essential for businesses and individuals to grow and prosper. That is why the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has classified broadband as critical infrastructure.

Incredibly, 70% of the world's internet traffic flows through Northern Virginia, yet over 900,000 of our fellow Virginians, predominantly in rural regions, lack access to high-speed internet.1 Businesses and individuals need access to broadband in order to succeed in the 21st century economy. A lack of broadband not only restricts economic growth, but limits innovation and access to healthcare and education, and hinders public safety. The goal of a Gillespie Administration will be to ensure high-speed internet access to more than half of those without it today.

Consider Northumberland County. Up to half of its residents do not have access to high speed internet. Many residents can be found parked outside the county library at night, catching up on work or school, because the library has wifi. Northumberland is like many Virginia localities struggling to bring together public and private efforts to enable a basic service in today's world.

Less than 100 miles away, the City of Virginia Beach is soon to be home to the first transoceanic high-speed Internet cable in the Mid-Atlantic. When completed, it will be the highest-capacity subsea cable to ever cross the Atlantic. Virginia's next governor must be ready to capitalize on this opportunity. Virginia can and should be the broadband innovation and transmission capital of the East Coast to the benefit all regions.

In order to support start-ups and scale-ups, expand our economy, create jobs, and empower all Virginians, we need to work to close our broadband gaps. If Virginia is to be a leader in autonomous technology, data centers, biotech, cybersecurity, and other high-growth technologies, these businesses need access to online customers, mentors, and potential funders. 21st century companies don't just want high-speed internet; they require it. We cannot grow regional economies without a serious focus on bringing broadband access to all areas of Virginia.

Ed's plan would remove regulatory barriers and fund broadband deployment in order to provide more Virginians with access to high-speed internet. For too long, the focus has been on planning and studying. Now is the time for action.

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