A Right to Connect: Why Every American Household Should Have Legally Guaranteed Access to the Internet

 Introduction

In 1934, the United States passed the Communications Act, a landmark piece of legislation that aimed to ensure "to all the people of the United States, a rapid, efficient, Nation-wide... wire and radio communication service." Over time, this commitment evolved into what became known as universal service—the legal requirement that every American household have access to affordable telephone service. This policy catalyzed economic development, enhanced public safety, connected rural areas, and strengthened American democracy.

Today, the functional equivalent of the telephone is the broadband internet connection. Yet, despite its centrality to education, employment, healthcare, and civic engagement, there is no law requiring universal access to the internet. This gap leaves millions of Americans—especially in rural and low-income areas—disconnected from modern life. The time has come to amend our legal framework and recognize broadband internet as a fundamental utility. Just as every household once gained access to a telephone line, every household must now be guaranteed access to reliable, affordable internet.

I. The Precedent: How Universal Telephone Access Transformed America

The legal requirement for universal phone service was not just about making phone calls; it was about building the infrastructure of a connected society. Through federal subsidies, regulated pricing, and carrier-of-last-resort mandates, phone service reached even the most remote parts of the country.

Key outcomes included:

Economic development: Farmers and rural businesses could coordinate with markets.

Public safety: People could call for help in emergencies, transforming emergency response.

Social inclusion: The elderly and isolated had a lifeline to the outside world.

This system worked because it was enshrined in law, funded by public-private partnerships, and rooted in a belief that connection is a public good. It created a minimum floor of participation in American life.

II. The Internet as the Modern Equivalent of the Telephone

In the 21st century, broadband internet has eclipsed the telephone in importance. It is the foundation of:

Education: Students complete homework, attend virtual classes, and access learning tools online.

Healthcare: Telemedicine is now a vital service, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

Employment: Job listings, applications, remote work, and career training are increasingly digital.

Civic participation: Voting information, public meetings, and government services are online.

News and expression: The internet is the public square of the modern world.

Yet, as of recent estimates, over 19 million Americans still lack broadband access—and many more lack affordable or high-speed options. This digital divide is not just an inconvenience; it is a structural inequality.

III. The Case for a Legal Mandate

1. Moral and Democratic Imperative

In a democracy, access to information is a civil right. Without internet access, Americans are disenfranchised from the political process, educational systems, and economic opportunity. Just as literacy was once essential for civic participation, so too is digital access today.

2. Economic Justification

A connected population drives GDP growth, reduces unemployment, and boosts productivity. Studies show that every $1 invested in broadband returns multiple dollars in economic benefit, particularly in rural economies. Just as phone lines were essential to 20th-century commerce, broadband is the backbone of the 21st-century economy.

3. National Security and Resilience

Internet access strengthens emergency communication systems, improves disaster response, and ensures continuity of education and healthcare during crises—evident during the COVID-19 pandemic.

4. Equity and Inclusion

Failing to mandate universal internet access entrenches inequality—urban vs. rural, rich vs. poor, white vs. communities of color. A legal right to broadband would serve as a great equalizer, much as universal telephone service once did.

IV. Addressing Counterarguments

“But it’s too expensive.”

In fact, much of the infrastructure cost already exists. What remains is last-mile connectivity and affordability, which can be addressed through targeted subsidies and public investment—similar to how rural electrification and telephone service were handled in the 20th century.

“The private sector should handle it.”

Private ISPs have little incentive to serve low-density or low-income areas. Without a legal mandate, they will not fill the gap. Public-private partnerships, backed by law, are essential.

“We shouldn’t regulate the internet like a utility.”

But internet is a utility—just like water, electricity, and gas. It is essential for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in a digital age. Without access, people are locked out of modern society.

V. A Path Forward

The U.S. could implement a legal mandate through:

Amending the Telecommunications Act of 1996 to include broadband in the definition of universal service.

Passing new legislation to establish broadband as a civil right.

Funding through a modernized Universal Service Fund, state broadband offices, or a permanent successor to the Affordable Connectivity Program.

The policy should require that every household have:

Physical access to broadband infrastructure (fiber, fixed wireless, or satellite).

Affordable options regardless of income level.

Minimum speed and reliability standards, updated regularly by the FCC.

Conclusion

Just as our nation once committed to ensuring that every household could pick up a phone and connect to the world, it must now ensure that every household can log on to the internet and fully participate in the modern economy, education system, and democracy. Access to the internet is no longer a luxury—it is a necessity.

By making broadband a legal right, the U.S. can close the digital divide, unlock economic potential, and uphold its democratic values in the 21st century. The precedent has been set. The infrastructure is within reach. All that is needed now is the political will to declare, once and for all, that connectivity is a public good and a civil right.