WHEREAS, broadband is a high-bandwidth transmission that enables access to high-speed internet; and broadband infrastructure capable of handling 100 Megabits per second (Mbps) downstream and 20 Mbps upstream speeds is essential to handle future demand for online services; and
WHEREAS, high-speed internet is a crucial tool for North Carolinians to fully participate in today’s digital society as students, workers, business owners, patients, and citizens; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of online tools by North Carolinians to engage in healthcare, government, education, work, commerce, and cultural, civic, and religious activities; and
WHEREAS, digital equity means that residents in every corner of the state not only have access to broadband, but can also fairly adopt it and feel enabled to use it; and
WHEREAS, the majority of the state is rural and nearly a third of rural households lack adequate broadband infrastructure, and half of households without internet access of 100/10 Mbps are concentrated in 18 rural counties, along with two urban counties; and
WHEREAS, building broadband infrastructure in rural areas faces significant geographical challenges and costs, particularly for consumers, and requires innovative approaches by federal, state, local, and private partners; and North Carolina can overcome these obstacles with generational investments in broadband infrastructure and access, affordability, and digital literacy and enablement; and
WHEREAS, with the investment of state and federal funds, by 2025, North Carolina can achieve digital equity and lead as a top 5 state in broadband adoption, with 100/20 Mbps internet access to nearly all households; and
WHEREAS, the observance of Rural Broadband Week seeks to increase public knowledge and prompt community action to improve broadband access and close the digital divide so that all North Carolinians can live more abundant, better educated, and healthier lives; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim August 16-20, 2021, as “RURAL BROADBAND WEEK” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.