New Issue Brief Highlights Progress and Gaps in Small Business Broadband Access

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Small businesses across the United States have seen dramatic improvements in access to high-speed broadband internet over the past decade, according to a new issue brief by economist Robert Press, a former postdoctoral fellow with the Center for Business and Public Policy at Georgetown McDonough. He currently serves as a regulatory economist with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy. His research focuses on competition, infrastructure, and the economic conditions shaping small business growth.

The brief finds that the share of small business establishments with access to broadband speeds of at least 100/20 Mbps increased from just under half in 2014 to nearly 84% in 2024. Increased competition among internet service providers, along with emerging technologies such as fixed wireless and low-Earth orbit satellite systems, has expanded options for many businesses and contributed to declining internet prices in real terms.

Despite this progress, significant disparities remain. Small businesses located in rural areas continue to lag behind larger firms in access to high-speed internet. The research shows that counties with greater broadband availability also experience faster rates of small business formation, underscoring broadband’s role as a critical driver of entrepreneurship and economic growth.

The brief also highlights the importance of flexible federal broadband policies that prioritize business connectivity alongside household access. As states deploy funding through programs such as the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) initiative, the report argues that technology-neutral approaches will be essential to closing remaining coverage gaps.