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# AT&T CEO Says $60-$80 Billion in Federal Dollars Should Suffice to Bridge Digital Divide
- URL: https://broadbandbreakfast.com/att-ceo-says-60-80-billion-in-federal-dollars-should-suffice-to-bridge-digital-divide/
- Published: 2021-06-10T21:19:40.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-11T06:19:40.000Z
- Description: John Stankey said the amount would completely cover rural and remote America — if “done right.”
- Author: Sophie Draayer
- Tags: Infrastructure, Biden-Harris Administration, Funding, #broadband, AT&T, Digital Divide, Economic Club, economy, Featured, John Stankey, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2024-02-01 10:16, #added-preview-divider

June 10, 2021—AT&T CEO **John Stankey** said Thursday that the federal government can get away with shelling out between $60 to $80 billion in infrastructure dollars to connect rural and remote America.

The comments, made in a virtual interview hosted by the Economic Club on Thursday, comes as infrastructure negotiations between the Democrat-controlled White House and Republicans picks up on the heels of President **Joe Biden**’s March [American Jobs Plan](https://broadbandbreakfast.com/biden-sets-goal-of-2030-to-provide-affordable-broadband-access-for-all-americans/), which proposed $100 billion toward broadband infrastructure to provide access to high-speed internet to all Americans by 2030.

Over the past couple of weeks, however, the Republicans have been pressing the administration to lower that amount to $65 billion, [which the White House agreed to](https://broadbandbreakfast.com/biden-reducing-broadband-spend-republican-infrastructure-plan-gigabit-opportunity-zones-ige-under-fire/) if it means pushing its agenda out the door, according to a memo.

Stankey said Thursday he supports the plan, calling the Biden administration “wise” to think of broadband infrastructure as a good, sustainable infrastructure that will generate a return for the United States. He explains that while it sounds like a lot of money, if done right, it will ultimately create a “more peaceable and inclusive society.

“The benefit \[of broadband accessibility\] comes to reduce medical costs, economic growth, and \[increase\] employment…we will have a more inclusive society as a result,” he said.

At the [AT&T Policy Forum](https://about.att.com/story/2021/john%5Fstankey%5Fatt%5Fpolicy%5Fforum.html?ref=broadbandbreakfast.com) earlier this year, Stankey encouraged private investment saying, “the [public and private sector](https://broadbandbreakfast.com/states-should-be-encouraged-to-form-public-private-partnerships-for-federal-broadband-funds/) have key roles to play in bringing broadband to all Americans in ways that are accessible, affordable, and sustainable. The time to act is now.”

In April, AT&T committed $2B to help close the digital divide in rural, underserved areas. With this investment, the company plans to expand its offering of low-cost internet plans, as well as to utilize the [Emergency Broadband Benefit program](https://broadbandbreakfast.com/fcc-launches-emergency-broadband-benefit-program/) administered by the Federal Communications Commission.

“AT&T is investing in and expanding the reach of our broadband networks while also advocating for effective and sustainable public policies that help close this country’s digital divide,” said Stankey.