The fifth report of the Governor’s Task Force on Broadband Access (Task Force) continues the ambitious goals set by the Task Force in 2024 and provides forward-looking recommendations that will continue to promote the efficient, strategic expansion of broadband access and adoption across Wisconsin. This 2025 Task Force Report comes at a pivotal time for policy makers and elected officials. Many of the past recommendations that were enacted are resulting in significant measurable progress for internet access and adoption in Wisconsin. Historic investments made in broadband grants in 2021 and 2022 are largely complete and Wisconsin residents are reaping the benefits.  In the past year, internet service providers added 163,000 new fiber internet connections to Wisconsin homes and businesses; 93,000 locations that were unserved last year are now served by highspeed internet service; in just this one year, the number of unserved locations in Wisconsin has decreased by 28 percent. Home internet subscription rates for Wisconsin households are just shy of 90%, a record high and on par with the national average. In year five (2025), the Task Force is sharing and celebrating the tremendous progress the State of Wisconsin is making toward broadband access for all. But the work is not done, and too many Wisconsinites lack adequate internet access, have service that doesn’t meet their needs, can’t afford internet service, and need additional support and digital skills to fully make use of the internet. Federal programs can end, change, or get delayed, but when Wisconsin invests funding and makes policy advances, real progress can keep happening.  

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