Federal Broadband Programs

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has accepted Illinois’ Digital Equity plan. Using $1,515,352.64 from the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program, Illinois created a plan aimed at addressing disparities in digital access, skills and affordability across the state. NTIA has accepted digital equity plans from all 50 States, D.C., and Puerto Rico. On March 29th, 2024, NTIA launched the $1.44 billion Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program.

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has accepted Mississippi’s Digital Equity plan. Using $875,585.61 from the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program, Mississippi created a plan aimed at addressing disparities in digital access, skills and affordability across the state. NTIA has accepted digital equity plans from all 50 States, D.C., and Puerto Rico. On March 29th, 2024, NTIA launched the $1.44 billion Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program.

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has accepted Colorado’s Digital Equity plan. Using $897,119.02 from the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program, Colorado created a plan aimed at addressing disparities in digital access, skills and affordability across the state. NTIA has accepted digital equity plans from all 50 States, D.C., and Puerto Rico. On March 29th, 2024, NTIA launched the $1.44 billion Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program.

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has accepted Utah’s Digital Equity plan. Using $676,684.53 from the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program, Utah created a plan aimed at addressing disparities in digital access, skills and affordability across the state. NTIA has accepted digital equity plans from all 50 States, D.C., and Puerto Rico. On March 29th, 2024, NTIA launched the $1.44 billion Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program.

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has accepted Iowa’s Digital Equity plan. Using $708,924.00 from the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program, Iowa created a plan aimed at addressing disparities in digital access, skills and affordability across the state. NTIA has accepted digital equity plans from all 50 States, D.C., and Puerto Rico. On March 29th, 2024, NTIA launched the $1.44 billion Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program.

Brightspeed's fiber expansion is gaining momentum. The privately-backed company said its fiber network is now available at one million locations, notching that achievement just one year after it launched Brightspeed Fiber Internet. And sure, hitting that milestone is cool. But what really matters is that people are buying it. A spokesperson for the company said Brightspeed Fiber Internet sales increase every month.

Ten-year-old Miguel is putting his new digital literacy skills to an unexpected use: writing stories about his need for a brother. “It is boring only having sisters,” Miguel, who has four sisters, explained. Miguel and his mother Maria teamed up to take bilingual digital literacy classes through the University of Houston-Downtown's (UHD) e-library program.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) understands that closing the digital divide requires ongoing, meaningful engagement with the communities the Internet for All (IFA) programs are serving. NTIA views strong involvement from state, local, territorial, and Tribal communities as key to ensuring that the broadband needs of all unserved and underserved locations and underrepresented communities are met.

The Utah Broadband Center (UBC), part of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, is launching the Utah Broadband Availability Challenge Process to finalize identifying broadband serviceable locations in Utah without access to reliable high-speed internet infrastructure.

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) has been a transformative force, empowering nearly 23 million American households in rural and urban communities with reliable, high-speed, and affordable broadband access. To continue this progress, I implore my colleagues to join me by signing the discharge petition. This will ensure the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act receives the vote it deserves on the floor of the House of Representatives. We cannot turn our back on the progress made in closing the digital divide.