Through a combination of taxpayer money and private investments, President Obama said Monday 98 percent of Americans now have access to fourth-generation mobile broadband.
The president in 2011 first laid out the goal of providing broadband access to at least 98 percent of the nation and said he wanted to see it accomplished by the time he left office in 2017.
“Today I can announce that we have achieved that goal and we did it ahead of schedule,” Mr. Obama said during brief remarks at the White House Science Fair, which brought students from across the country to Washington to show off their latest inventions and innovations.
About $7 billion from Mr. Obama’s 2009 stimulus package went to improving broadband access, in addition to other government investments. The administration also has worked with a number of private companies that have invested in broadband infrastructure.
Also on Monday, the president signed a presidential memorandum to create the first Broadband Opportunity Council, tasked with extending broadband access and increasing competition.
The council will be co-chaired by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker.
• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.
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