The number of jobs grows as broadband grows

Employment growth correlates with broadband availability according to a report released by the Public Policy Institute of California.

Especially in sparsely populated areas, and in areas with tech-heavy industries, adoption and deployment of broadband increases the number of jobs available. Therefore, broadband availability is also a factor in increasing the working-age population of an area, since people will move to where jobs are available.

The report concludes with a combination of hope and trepidation. Even if ubiquitous broadband is enacted and "the current digital divide closes, new digital divides will open" as fiber-to-home becomes more widespread.

Does Broadband Boost Local Economic Development? (Public Policy Institute of California)

Study: broadband boosts jobs, but not salaries (Washington Post)