H.R. 2750: Bridging the Broadband Gap Act of 2025

Summary

The Bridging the Broadband Gap Act of 2025 is a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that aims to expand access to high-speed internet (broadband) in underserved and rural areas across the United States. The primary goals of the legislation are to:

1. Provide federal funding and incentives to encourage the deployment of broadband infrastructure in communities that currently lack reliable, high-speed internet access.
2. Establish new programs and initiatives to help low-income households afford broadband service.
3. Improve coordination and collaboration between federal, state, and local governments to strategically target broadband expansion efforts.

Key Provisions

Broadband Infrastructure Grants: The bill would create a new $20 billion grant program at the Department of Commerce to fund the construction of broadband networks in unserved and underserved areas. Grants would be awarded on a competitive basis to internet service providers, utilities, and local governments.

Broadband Affordability Program: The legislation would direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a new program providing subsidies to help low-income households cover the cost of broadband service. Eligible households could receive up to $50 per month towards their internet bills.

State Broadband Offices: The bill would require each state to designate a lead agency or "State Broadband Office" responsible for coordinating broadband deployment efforts and administering federal broadband funding within the state.

Broadband Data Improvement: The legislation would mandate improvements to the FCC's broadband mapping and data collection processes to better identify areas lacking adequate broadband access.

Impact and Timeline

If enacted, the Bridging the Broadband Gap Act would represent a significant federal investment to expand high-speed internet infrastructure and improve affordability for low-income families in underserved communities nationwide.

The bill's provisions would be implemented over a 5-year period, with the infrastructure grants and affordability program launching within the first year. State broadband offices would be required to be established within 18 months of the bill's enactment.

The improved broadband data collection and mapping requirements would take effect immediately to help guide future funding and deployment decisions.