How much funding states will get remains up in the air<\/p>\n
Following months of negotiations, President Joe Biden\u2019s $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed with bipartisan support in early November. The bill included $65 billion to improve the nation\u2019s broadband infrastructure.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s an unprecedented amount of money to come in at one time for broadband,\u201d says Mike Romano, NTCA senior vice president of industry affairs and business development. \u201cBefore the COVID-19 pandemic, and especially during it, we\u2019ve seen people understand how important broadband is for success.\u201d<\/p>\n
As the funding becomes available, rural broadband providers may be able to answer the call to extend high-speed networks into new areas.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is another positive step to help close the broadband gap across rural America,\u201d says Levoy Knowles, Tennesse Broadband Association (TNBA) government affairs director. \u201cIt\u2019s an incredible opportunity for TNBA members to expand the reach of their networks.\u201d<\/p>\n
The bulk of the funding in the bill provides $42.45 billion in grants to states for broadband projects. Another $14.2 billion will provide a $30-a-month voucher to low-income Americans to help pay for internet service. The remaining $8 billion is split among digital inclusion efforts, the ReConnect rural broadband construction program, and other infrastructure requirements.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile earlier versions of the bill called for higher speeds, the acceptable speed was lowered with entry-level broadband defined as 100\/20 Mbps,\u201d said Romano. \u201cThose speeds might be possible with cable and fixed wireless providers, but the bill still offers preference for higher speed networks.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will rely heavily on information from states to decide how the money is distributed.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight now, we don\u2019t know how much money will come to any particular state because the formulas are dependent on maps that haven\u2019t been created yet,\u201d says Romano. \u201cThe FCC will create maps to show what service is available in every U.S. location. They\u2019ll then use a formula to see how many unserved\/underserved and high-cost locations can receive service in a particular area, with priority being given to providers offering networks faster than 100\/20 Mbps.\u201d<\/p>\n
Also included in discussion surrounding the bill is a focus on what\u2019s needed going forward for the Universal Service Fund (USF).<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a growing recognition that you don\u2019t just want to build a network,\u201d says Romano. \u201cIt\u2019s not a road where you build it and then come back in a few years to patch potholes. You\u2019re delivering services people need every day with a broadband network. It was wise of Congress to say, \u2018Let\u2019s not forget about USF.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Realistically, funds won\u2019t be distributed until 2023, but that doesn\u2019t mean there\u2019s any time to rest.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s lots of foundational work to be done before building a network,\u201d says Romano. \u201cTNBA members need to be a part of those conversations to make sure rural communities will get fiber from the right kind of providers who are committed to their communities.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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