The Biden-Harris administration has approved Idaho’s “Internet for All” initial proposal, which aims to provide affordable and reliable internet access to underserved areas in the state. Idaho has received approximately $583 million from the administration to ensure that all people in the state can access the internet. Courtney Dozier, deputy director for the BEAD program at the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), said, “In the year 2024, there is no one in this country that does not deserve to have access to the internet.”
The Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) will work to identify individuals who qualify to receive funding for internet access.
Ramón Hobdey-Sánchez, Idaho Office of Broadband State Broadband Manager, explained, “In order to build out the application project areas that have those broadband serviceable locations that need internet at a higher quality or simply need internet because they’re not currently connected.”
Once information is collected on who qualifies for the funding, the proposal will be submitted, and funding distribution will begin within the year.
Idaho’s digital connectivity efforts clearer
Dozier said, “We’ll start to see permitting happening and shovels in the ground.
So we still got a tail on this program, but it’s a really important milestone.”
Hobdey-Sánchez emphasized that enhancing broadband infrastructure aligns with a goal that Governor Brad Little has for Idaho. “Creating an environment, economic, education, and otherwise, that promotes an atmosphere that our children and generations after us not only are born and live here, but want to stay.”
The approval of Idaho’s “Internet for All” proposal is a significant step towards ensuring that all residents of the state have access to affordable and reliable internet service. The funding provided by the Biden-Harris administration will help bridge the digital divide and improve the lives of many Idahoans.
April Isaacs is a news contributor for DevX.com She is long-term, self-proclaimed nerd. She loves all things tech and computers and still has her first Dreamcast system. It is lovingly named Joni, after Joni Mitchell.
