Connecting every classroom, library, hospital, and clinic in the United States to the National Information Infrastructure (NII) is a priority. It is critical for these public institutions to become and remain active participants in the NII, since they can use telecommunications and information technologies to benefit all Americans. To this end, the Administration is working actively with Congress, the States, local governments, private industry, public interest groups, and the public institutions themselves.

Connecting the Nation provides a status report on this critical national initiative by drawing from the most current data regarding Internet connectivity, a benchmark for NII access. This report concludes that there is much work to be done before the goal of connecting every classroom, library, and health care organization to the NII is accomplished. Nevertheless, this report highlights how Federal Government funding programs can serve as a catalyst in this effort, spurring public-private partnerships even in disadvantaged and remote areas of the country.