![]() Members of Congress pressed FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel about inaccuracies they said would negatively impact rural states’ allotments in particular, and state broadband officials were concerned about the short timeline to correct discrepancies in the first version of the map. Hinging such a large investment on FCC data has been somewhat controversial. Under the rules of the program, states must prioritize connecting predominantly unserved areas before bolstering service in underserved areas-which are those without access to internet speeds of 100 Mbps/20 Mbps-and in schools, libraries or other community institutions. Once the Commerce Department signs off on those initial plans, states can award grants to telecommunications companies, electric cooperatives and other providers to expand internet infrastructure. States have until the end of the year to submit proposals outlining how they plan to use that money, which won’t begin to be distributed until those plans are approved. “What we’re saying to them now is, ‘With this money, $1.2 billion to connect about 300,000 folks in West Virginia, it is plenty of money to get to everyone.’”Ĭongress approved the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program, along with several other internet expansion initiatives, through the infrastructure bill Biden signed in 2021.Įarlier this month, the Commerce Department announced winners of middle mile grants, which will fund projects that build the midsection of the infrastructure necessary to extend internet access to every part of the country. ![]() “And so the internet providers haven’t done it - it doesn’t make economic sense for them,” she said. Raimondo said the reason that hasn’t happened in the past is because it’s expensive to lay fiber in a rural or mountainous area. “When I say everyone, I mean everyone,” she said. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo joined Manchin at a press conference after Biden’s announcement and said West Virginia’s allotment would be enough money to “finally connect every resident.” Joe Manchin, who Biden called out as a “friend” during today’s announcement, celebrated the $1.2 billion West Virginia will receive to expand service in the rural, mountainous state of around 1.8 million. More than 7% of the country falls in the underserved category, according to the Federal Communications Commission ‘s analysis. “High-speed internet isn’t a luxury anymore,” he said. Some of those are from $25 billion in initial funding as part of the “American Rescue Plan.” Allotments range from $100.7 million for Washington, D.C., to $3.3 billion for Texas.īiden said more than 35,000 projects are already funded or underway to lay cable that provides internet access. ![]() The funding includes more than $1 billion each for 19 states, with remaining states falling below that threshold. ![]()
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