47 USC § 1701 - Findings

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t47/s1701"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "47 USC § 1701 - Findings"
title_number: 47
title_name: "TELECOMMUNICATIONS"
section_number: "1701"
section_name: "Findings"
chapter_number: 16
chapter_name: "BROADBAND ACCESS"
subchapter_number: "I"
subchapter_name: "BROADBAND GRANTS FOR STATES, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, PUERTO RICO, AND TERRITORIES"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2025-08-11"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 117–58, div. F, title I, § 60101, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1182.)"
---


# § 1701. Findings

Congress finds the following:

**(1)** Access to affordable, reliable, high-speed broadband is essential to full participation in modern life in the United States.

**(2)** The persistent “digital divide” in the United States is a barrier to the economic competitiveness of the United States and equitable distribution of essential public services, including health care and education.

**(3)** The digital divide disproportionately affects communities of color, lower-income areas, and rural areas, and the benefits of broadband should be broadly enjoyed by all.

**(4)** In many communities across the country, increased competition among broadband providers has the potential to offer consumers more affordable, high-quality options for broadband service.

**(5)** The 2019 novel coronavirus pandemic has underscored the critical importance of affordable, high-speed broadband for individuals, families, and communities to be able to work, learn, and connect remotely while supporting social distancing.

---

**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 117–58, div. F, title I, § 60101, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1182.)

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Short Title

> “This title [enacting subchapter II of this chapter] may be cited as the ‘Digital Equity Act of 2021’.”

, , , provided that: