A new report from the University of Alabama’s Education Policy Center (EPC) offers a sweeping look at Alabama’s broadband expansion under Gov. Kay Ivey — praising the state’s unprecedented progress while warning that the digital divide in the Black Belt remains a significant barrier to educational, economic and health equity.
The brief, “Broadband in Alabama’s Black Belt in 2025,” documents how Alabama has invested more than $2.5 billionin broadband buildout since 2018, establishing one of the most ambitious rural connectivity efforts in the nation. Through American Rescue Plan funds and state appropriations, Alabama has added 3,500 miles of fiber-optic cable and expanded the Alabama Fiber Network’s “middle-mile” infrastructure to reach all 67 counties.
Broadband experts have taken notice: in 2025, the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society labeled Alabama a “national model” for broadband strategy and execution.
Yet, the EPC report stresses that progress has been uneven — and that the Black Belt continues to suffer the deepest broadband shortages. While 87% of Alabama residents now have access to internet speeds of at least 100/20 Mbps, the state still trails the national average of 94% and ranks 14th out of 17 Southern states.
In the Black Belt, coverage falls sharply. Only 76% of residents have high-speed access, compared to 89% outside the region. Four of Alabama’s seven completely “unserved” counties — and six of its seven “underserved” counties — are located in the Black Belt. Eight counties still see coverage rates below 50%, creating major barriers for families, students, health providers and small businesses.
The EPC urges policymakers to prioritize the Black Belt as Alabama prepares to deploy $1.4 billion in federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding. The state is awaiting final NTIA approval before distributing grants to internet providers.
The report also warns lawmakers not to rely solely on BEAD funds, noting that providers may default on contracts or fail to meet buildout obligations. It calls for stronger accountability, diversified funding, and investments in digital literacy, emphasizing that broadband access is only useful if communities know how to navigate online resources.
Despite the challenges, the report applauds Alabama’s gains, highlighting early successes in Choctaw County (0% to 24% coverage) and Perry County (0% to 9%). “Universal broadband access is achievable,” the authors write, “with sustained commitment, good leadership, and creative policy.”
But they caution that the mission is far from over. Bridging the Black Belt’s digital divide, they conclude, is essential for improving health outcomes, expanding educational opportunity, and strengthening economic development across rural Alabama.