Waiting, waiting, and still waiting: Why the anticipation for broadband buildouts is so tough this year
Louisville, Ky. (December 16, 2024) – To anyone stuck in the Digital Divide, the work to connect all Americans to broadband (high-speed internet) through the “Internet for All” program seems as if it will never get underway. Looking back, it’s easy to understand how it can appear that way.
In 2022: After millions of Americans found themselves at home with no connection or poor internet during the pandemic, U.S. Congress acted. More than $65 billion was set aside for broadband expansion in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA).
Americans: “Yay, I’m finally getting broadband!”
In 2023: State leaders and others in the broadband space waited for months to get guidance on next steps. Details on how to apply for the funds, who could take part, and more then began to trickle out in NOFOs and from multiple federal agencies.
Americans: “This means I really am getting broadband, right?”
In 2024: State broadband offices (SBOs) began to publish their initial plans for universal broadband coverage, but each had several approval and challenge stages. The first Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Final Proposal to cross the finish line was Louisiana’s broadband office, ConnectLA, which published its final draft just last month. We’re still waiting for the majority of states and territories to do the same.
Americans: “Am I ever getting broadband?”
If you’re among those struggling with no connection or a terrible one, you might feel like a kid waiting for Santa to arrive — the anticipation for broadband buildouts to begin is excruciating, especially with each year that passes.
Here’s the good news this holiday season — it’s not as bad as it may seem on the surface. Many SBOs are very close to finalizing plans, awarding grants, and moving things forward so those buildouts can break ground over the next year to two years.
How do we know this? Connected Nation’s (CN) “elves” have spent the year in “Santa’s Workshop” helping SBOs and other partners deliver the gift of “Internet for All.”
For example, our broadband experts helped several SBOs — most notably Texas, Oklahoma, Michigan, and Massachusetts — develop their first rounds of proposals for funds through the BEAD program, as well as Digital Equity Plans for some states.
The national nonprofit’s Geospatial Team created an innovative broadband coverage map to support the BEAD challenge process for multiple states. The challenge map allowed challengers to select geographic locations to include as part of challenge portals that did not have a map component.
In addition, CN was engaged in the review and adjudication of BEAD challenges supporting SBOs and other partners — providing recommendations to state and territory leaders on approximately 170,000 challenges received.
Our Michigan-based team developed a partnership with Michigan Works! (workforce development office) and conducted Digital Skills Training classes in eight locations across the state. The team also conducted several additional classes at various libraries in more rural communities.
CN’s Research Team continued to break ground with new data related to telehealth, including for indigenous people. The team released reports on “Understanding perceptions and usage of telehealth in the Central UP of Michigan,” “Assessing telehealth attitudes and usage in NW Colorado,” and “Insights from the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.”
We trained 7,823 people in digital skills through our Teens Teach Tech, powered by AT&T program and our Digital Skills Training classes, also funded by AT&T. Those numbers represent everyone from senior citizens and veterans to refugees and immigrants.
Internally, CN underwent a comprehensive digital transformation to further improve its cybersecurity posture as well as bring enhanced file storage, management, and collaboration services to the organization. These investments ensure our partner and client data are protected with the highest security standards while improving accessibility and operational efficiency.
Our Communications Team, once again, won national awards on behalf of work it completed with our partners and clients and to raise awareness about the Digital Divide. The team brought home eight National Communicator Awards and one Telly for its social media outreach, videos produced under “Causes and Awareness” and “Nonprofit Work,” and for the CN Podcast under the category of “Best Tech Series.” (Be sure to listen or send us guest ideas)
Right now, it’s estimated that nearly 42 million Americans are stuck in the Digital Divide — a number that would continue to grow if not for the work we’ve all been doing together. Whether you’re leading a classroom of people who want to learn how to use a computer, or you’re a state broadband director who’s deciding where you’ll build new broadband infrastructure first, those of us in the broadband space have been giving it our all.
We, too, are anxiously awaiting the moment the nation finally breaks ground on that first project under BEAD. It’s the gift all of us deserve.
Everyone belongs in a Connected Nation.
Related links:
Looking back at 2023 – Broadband expansion and the Island of the Misfit Toys
Looking back at 2022 – Living on the edge
Looking back at 2021 - Sound the alarm
Looking back at 2020 – CN’s greatest hits of 2020
About the author: Jessica Denson is the Communications Director at Connected Nation. In that role, she is responsible for overall brand strategy, which includes building program recognition through digital communications, media relations, and marketing opportunities.