National broadband infrastructure initiatives in several countries have helped expand access, such as programs in South Korea and Japan that built extensive fiber optic networks. In the U.S., the National Broadband Plan aims to bring broadband to more citizens through pending legislation and executive actions. Research shows rural areas, low-income populations, and senior citizens are most at risk of being digitally left behind in the U.S., and efforts try to address these divides. Countries with low broadband access rates tend to have less developed economies and infrastructure in Africa and parts of Asia and Latin America. High-speed broadband is valued by users for benefits like faster internet speeds allowing more data consumption and online activities.