2030 is the U.S. target date for ‘Internet for All’

With a date of 2030 to provide internet access to everyone in the U.S., over $43 billion from a federal government high-speed internet grant program will be dispersed among states and territories. That is good news for the over eight million locations in the U.S. still without internet access.

The current administration’s Internet for All initiative is part of the Investing in America agenda.

U.S states, territories and Washington, D.C., will use the funding from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program to administer grant programs. 

“What this announcement means for people across the country is that if you don’t have access to quality, affordable high-speed Internet service now – you will …,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. 

Affordability is key to ensuring everyone who wants internet access can afford it. In addition to the BEAD funding, the federal government has plans to help you pay your internet bill.

However, unserved and underserved areas won’t see high-speed internet anytime soon, but the hope is by 2030, those areas will be connected. The next step is now in the state’s hands. 

As reported by ABC News, “initial proposals must identify unserved locations that aren’t already receiving money from other broadband programs. They must give also give local nonprofits, internet service providers and governments to suggest other locations in need of improved services. States must also outline plans to hire skilled workers, assess the resiliency of physical infrastructure in the face of climate threats, and ensure that connections forged with BEAD money will be affordable.”

This also means that internet providers will most likely be able to expand their services. As reported by Fierce Telecom, Charter “has expressed plans to step up its subsidized rural build to 300,000 locations this year. Comcast is also ramping up network expansion in over a dozen states.” 

About the grants from the White House briefing held earlier this week:

• “Awards range from $27 million to over $3.3 billion, with every state receiving a minimum of $107 million.
• 19 states received allocations over $1 billion with the top 10 allocations in Alabama, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Washington.
• With these allocations and other Biden administration investments, all 50 states, DC, and territories now have the resources to connect every resident and small business to affordable high-speed internet by 2030.”

The 2020 pandemic highlighted the lack of internet connectivity on Tribal lands. The funding also includes $2 billion for high-speed internet deployment across Tribal entities to aid in education and medical opportunities. 

Other funding will be allocated to build broadband infrastructure in rural areas and “middle mile” builds – the actual cabling needed to ensure internet connectivity. Some states are already using other funds for last-mile internet connections.

Traditionally, rural areas were only served by satellite companies, but this new funding opens the possibility of high-speed fiber internet connections and more fixed wireless options.

Curious about what types of internet are available in your area? Check your address to find out.

Find more broadband news on Allconnect’s news hub.