Next Generation Connectivity: Postal Service Roles in 5G and Broadband Deployment

According to the Federal Communications Commission, more than 18 million Americans currently lack basic broadband service. With a physical presence in nearly every community in the country, the U.S. Postal Service is uniquely situated to play a role in helping bring 5G and broadband service to those areas of the country currently unserved or underserved. The OIG found there are several potential partnership opportunities that would allow the Postal Service to help bring high-quality broadband to areas where it is currently lacking. These would include colocation of critical infrastructure at Postal Service facilities, positioning them as digital hubs and leveraging USPS resources to collect valuable data about broadband coverage in remote areas. Such an undertaking would serve to further cement the Postal Service’s already critically important role in American life.