- Report: Local Connectivity Estimates
- Program Will Train Broadband Workforce
- Colorado Opens BEAD Grant Program
- Another BEAD Funding Proposal Approved
- Assessment Highlights Local Gaps
- Survivors of Domestic Violence Can Now Access Lifeline
REPORT: LOCAL CONNECTIVITY ESTIMATES
A newly released report assesses Internet adoption levels at the county level. In collaboration with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the U.S. Census Bureau released the 2022 Local Estimates of Internet Adoption (LEIA). The LEIA resource includes a guide to help navigate it.
The report’s goal is to provide policymakers and others working in digital equity with accurate estimates of Internet connectivity. The document’s creation was sponsored by NTIA to support funding requests through the Digital Equity Act and Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.
It compiles public data from the Federal Communications Commission and the Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, and restricted data from the American Community Survey. Using feedback from stakeholders, it is intended to help improve accuracy of future estimates.
The LEIA resource concludes that these county-level estimates of wired Internet adoption that are provided are “reasonable.” The estimates can be updated each year as new data becomes available. Future iterations of these resources may include additional information.
Separately, NTIA released a fact sheet this week highlighting the work that has been done at the federal level to bridge the digital divide. Accomplishments highlighted included the approval of 48 initial proposals for BEAD program funding, the awarding of $1.86 billion to tribal entities, and the awarding of $262.8 million to minority-serving institutions.
All of this has been accomplished under the current presidential administration, to help meet the goal of connecting all Americans to affordable and reliable high-speed Internet by the year 2030.
PROGRAM WILL TRAIN BROADBAND WORKFORCE
The Communications Workers of America (CWA) has partnered with telecommunications company CTC to create a broadband apprenticeship for several states: Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota and North Dakota. Broadband expansion is going to lead to job creation for states, and this program aims to help equip the workforce with necessary skills for these jobs.
“At CWA, we know what it means to build broadband right, and we’re excited to be helping new workers enter the field, while creating good jobs and boosting local economies,” CWA District 7 Vice President Susie McAllister said in a statement.
This program will provide on-the-job and online training to individuals who want to gain skills as a broadband technician. It is intended to help build the workforce needed to effectively use federal funding for a nationwide broadband buildout.
COLORADO OPENS BEAD GRANT PROGRAM
In state news, Colorado has announced the launch of a state-managed grant program through which it will accept applications for Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program funding.
“Being one of the first to open this funding positions us ahead of other states and territories, and will lead to Colorado completing projects faster,” Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement.
The new program, known as Advance Colorado Broadband, will prioritize projects that connect unserved and underserved locations. Eligibility is determined by the state’s eligibility location list, developed using the Federal Communications Commission’s National Broadband Map.
More information can be found on the program website.
ANOTHER BEAD FUNDING PROPOSAL APPROVED
In state news, one new state this week has received an approval on its initial proposal for Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program funding. As of Thursday morning, New Jersey joins the growing list of states that have had their proposals approved.
“New Jersey is thrilled to access this critical funding so we can continue our efforts to expand broadband across our state,” said Gov. Phil Murphy in a statement.
With this initial proposal approved, BEAD-eligible entities in the state can now start to access funding and move into planning implementations.
ASSESSMENT HIGHLIGHTS LOCAL GAPS
In local news, the Cape Cod Commission has released a Regional Broadband Needs Assessment and Summary. This assessment is aimed at providing an understanding of the area’s digital equity challenges and offering recommendations to overcome them.
There is a lack of competition, it found, with most residents only having one provider option. There is also a lack of fiber access for Cape Cod residents, with less than 2 percent of addresses having access. It also cites high prices; more than half of residents pay more than $100 per month for Internet alone.
To address these challenges, the assessment recommends 14 solutions for municipal leaders in the region.
SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CAN NOW ACCESS LIFELINE
The Federal Communications Commission has implemented a provision in the Safe Connections Act to help survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and related crimes access discounted Internet and phone services through the FCC’s Lifeline program.
Now, survivors can request to separate their phone lines from the account their abuser is on. They can also receive up to six months of emergency Lifeline support.
Lifeline is an FCC program that provides up to $9.25 in a monthly discount on service for eligible low-income subscribers, and up to $34.25 per month for eligible subscribers on tribal lands. Since the end of the Affordable Connectivity Program, digital equity advocates have been offering resources to help people access other options for affordable Internet, Lifeline included.
More information can be found on the Survivor Benefit page.
