More than $1 billion in federal funding has been set aside to improve connectivity in Pennsylvania as the process begins to identify homes and businesses without access to high-speed internet.
They are eligible to receive grants from the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment, or BEAD, program, which is part of the federal government’s Internet For All initiative.
“Children who grow up in homes without an internet connection have lower GPAs. They are less likely to attend post-secondary education,” said BEAD program director Evan Fineman. “Seniors cannot age in place without internet connectivity.”
The Pennsylvania Broadband Office and NTIA work with Internet service providers to build or upgrade their networks and infrastructure. The first step in the process is to update and improve the current federal broadband data map that shows where broadband is available.
“These aren’t targets around the city. It’s paint splatters,” Feynman said. “Your neighbors without internet access are closer than you think, and they really want it.”
Here in Pennsylvania, 10% of households don’t have access to a device. According to the data, 13% of the state’s population does not use the internet and 11% of households do not have internet access or devices.
But for the most accurate information, we need your help. Feynman encourages people to contact their state’s broadband office.
“If your broadband map shows you have broadband access in your home, but it doesn’t, you need to speak up and make it count. Unfortunately, we don’t have the opportunity to get this right before construction begins. You only get one chance, and I don’t have that opportunity. I don’t want to see anyone left out,” Feynman said.
For more information, visit internetforall.gov.
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