Choosing the Future

Abstract

Together these chapters demonstrate that broadband adoption supports innovation at different scales, from the state policy context to local economies. Broadband subscriptions matter for prosperity, growth, income, employment, and innovation. They magnify the effects of education, information technology employment, and millennial populations in the most successful communities, but also offer benefits for places even in the absence of these other local advantages. This chapter summarizes findings throughout the book, explores county variation in broadband subscriptions for low-income residents, and examines how geography and local factors influence broadband challenges such as availability, reliability, speed, affordability, skills, and collaboration for building digital human capital. Future research is needed to explore the impacts of broadband in diverse policy areas and for specific uses, such as the commercial domain name websites that are discussed as an example. The chapter ends with recommendations for policy and research for promoting widespread broadband use, inclusive innovation, and a future with opportunity for all.