News

The Biden administration has announced an investment of approximately 7 million in grants and loans to expand broadband infrastructure in rural areas of the United States. This move is part of the administration’s goal to achieve internet access for all Americans by 2030.

The funding will be allocated to 37 recipients in the fourth round of the ReConnect program, initiated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In previous rounds, 37 projects were awarded a total of 1.4 million in grants and loans.

The administration believes that every American, regardless of their location, should have access to reliable internet service. Mitch Landrieu, the White House’s infrastructure coordinator, stated that this investment will benefit communities across the country, ensuring that no student has to sit in a car outside of McDonald’s just to access the internet for homework.

The largest award of over million went to Ponderosa Telephone Co. in California. This funding will enable the deployment of fiber networks in Fresno County, benefiting more than 1,200 people, 12 farms, and 26 businesses.

The recipients of the grants and loans are telephone cooperatives, counties, and telecommunications companies based in 22 states and the Marshall Islands. At least half of the households in these areas currently lack access to reliable internet speeds, which the federal government considers “underserved” in broadband terminology. The mandate for the recipients is to build networks that provide at least 100 Mbps upload and download speeds to every household, business, and farm in their service areas.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack highlighted the potential benefits of improved broadband access, such as increased economic opportunities for farmers, better access to healthcare through telemedicine, and expanded academic offerings in schools.

This investment in rural broadband infrastructure is a crucial step towards bridging the digital divide in America and ensuring that everyone has equal access to the opportunities provided by the internet.

The post The Biden Administration Announces 7 Million Investment in Rural Broadband Infrastructure appeared first on ISP Today.