Tag Archives: Internet for All

Version 2 of the FCC’s National Broadband Map is Up!

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The Internet for All folks report on the latest iteration of the national broadband maps. A super quick comparison to maps used for the 2022 Minnesota County Profiles leaves me wondering what the difference is. I’m hoping over the next week to dive deeper into the topic – once I can do more than a spot check…

Today the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released Version 2 of the National Broadband Map. This is an important step in meeting President Biden’s goal of connecting everyone in America to affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet service.

This map is the most accurate depiction of broadband availability in the FCC’s history. Last year, for the first time ever, the FCC generated a National Broadband Map that includes location level data. This tool provides the transparency needed to better understand the digital divide and to target funding to connect unserved and underserved communities across the country.

Below are NTIA’s three key takeaways from the latest data:

  • Through challenges and additional work that the FCC has been doing to improve the map’s underlying Fabric—a dataset of all locations where Internet service can be installed—the FCC added nearly three million Broadband Serviceable Locations (BSLs) while removing nearly two million for reasons ranging from updated data to the use of sophisticated tools to identify and remove structures like garages and sheds.
  • The FCC’s challenge process resolved more than 3.7 million challenges to the availability data —a dataset that shows whether Internet service is, in fact, available at each location, resulting in a more accurate picture of the high-speed Internet service currently available across the nation.
  • The overall national story remains consistent: From version 1 to version 2 of the FCC’s map, the percentage of unserved locations nationwide increased by 0.2 percentage points.

The release of version 2 of the FCC’s National Broadband Map is an important part of the process of implementing the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. This version of the map—plus additional refinements based on the FCC’s continuing work to resolve availability challenges—will be used as the basis for the state allocations for the BEAD program. We know states are eager to learn more about their funding, and we continue to be on track to announce those allocations by June 30th.

It is important to remember that while the number of unserved locations in the FCC’s National Broadband Map will be used in the allocation, it is not a 1:1 correlation to final BEAD funding.  For more information about how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law directs NTIA to make allocations, please see our recent blog, “Allocation of Funds.”

NTIA is confident that with this data as a baseline, we will be able to effectively allocate funds by the end of June. We will continue to monitor the FCC’s updates to availability data to ensure that we make a well-informed allocation of these vital funds.

The FCC’s map—and our ability to get the most accurate depiction of Internet access across the country—reflects ongoing collaboration among the federal government, states and territories, industry, and other stakeholders. The data underlying the FCC’s map will help us expand access to the education, healthcare, and economic resources that the Internet provides.

Ultimately, we know tens of millions of people across America do not have access to high-speed Internet service. It is vital we continue to implement this program with urgency and begin the deployment of high-speed Internet infrastructure through the BEAD program as soon as possible.

For more details on how the FCC National Broadband Map Impacts the BEAD Program read our three-part blog series at InternetForAll.Gov. 

NTIA Commits Nearly $500,000 in Internet for All Grants to White Earth in MN

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NTIA  reports…

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced today it has awarded grants totaling $4,997,592.68 to 10 Tribes as part of the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP).

With funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, these new grants bring the total of the program to over $1.77 billion awarded to 157 Tribal entities. Record investments in high-speed internet deployment are a key part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.

These grants from President Biden’s Internet for All initiative will help reduce monthly Internet service costs, plan for future Internet infrastructure investments, upgrade network equipment, and purchase devices.

White Earth Band of Chippewa in MN was one of 10 recipients:

They received $500,000.00: This Broadband Use and Adoption project will equip 6 community centers/business incubators with computer stations and online training courses for the approximately 3,343 White Earth Tribal Members.

Red Lake Nation College gets almost $2 million from feds to expand broadband

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The Bemidji Pioneer reports…

Red Lake Nation College has been awarded a $1,924,280 grant from the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program.

The program is run by the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration and is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet for All initiative, a release said.

Red Lake Nation College is one of 61 minority-serving colleges and universities receiving grants totaling $175 million.

The Red Lake Nation College Connecting Minority Communities project, “Expanding Broadband Capacity at Red Lake Nation College,” aims to upgrade broadband access, capacity and skills for RLNC students, staff and community members, the release said.

The project activities will provide and upgrade on-site internet service and security, upgrade laptop and desktop computers, increase learning software options at RLNC, and provide digital devices and broadband service plans for RLNC students to enable access on and off campus.

Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe awarded $18 million in federal Internet for All 

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NTIA announces…

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced today it has awarded 2 grants as part of the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP). These new grants, totaling more than $36 million, bring the total of the program to over $1.73 billion awarded to 132 Tribal entities. With funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, these grants will expand high-speed Internet service network deployment and digital skills training to improve access to education, jobs, and healthcare on Tribal lands.

“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to connecting all Tribal communities to affordable and reliable high-speed Internet service,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Our Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program is continuing its historic and unprecedented commitment to close the digital divide by investing in Native communities.”

Tribes in two states received grants – Hawaii and Minnesota.

More info on the project in Minnesota…

Applicant – Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
Project Type – Broadband Infrastructure Deployment
Funding Amount – $18,797,452
Description – The Broadband Infrastructure Deployment project proposes to install fiber and fixed wireless to directly connect 4,399 unserved Native American households with qualifying broadband service (fiber to the home service up to 100/40 Gbps and wireless service up to 80/20 Mbps).

MN awarded $5.8 Million in Internet for All Planning Grants

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NTIA reports…

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that Minnesota received its first “Internet for All” grants for deploying high-speed Internet networks and developing digital skills training programs under the Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet for All initiative. Minnesota is receiving $5,881,905.10 in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Biden, to plan for the deployment and adoption of affordable, equitable, and reliable high-speed Internet service throughout the state.

“Closing the digital divide is essential for Minnesotans to access healthcare, obtain good, high-paying jobs, and connect rural communities who have far too long been disconnected,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “I appreciate Governor Walz and his team for their commitment to connecting Minnesotans to affordable, reliable high-speed Internet service.”

“These resources, based on my legislation to bring high-speed, affordable broadband to all corners of our country, will ensure that more Minnesotans can connect to work, school, health care and business opportunities,” said Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar. “As co-chair of the Senate Broadband Caucus, I’ll keep fighting to close the digital divide and help families across our state reliably access the high-speed internet they need.”

“Broadband is the infrastructure of the 21st century – it isn’t just nice to have, it’s necessary if we’re going to build an economy that works for everyone,” said Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith. “This funding, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will expand access to affordable, high-speed internet to thousands of Minnesotans. It will also fund programs aimed at promoting digital equity and inclusion so that every Minnesotan, no matter their zip code, has internet access. I’m proud of our work to secure these investments and will continue looking for ways to close the digital divide.”

All 50 U.S. states and six territories applied for planning grant funding for the Internet for All initiative’s Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program and the Digital Equity Act program. Grant awards for all 56 eligible entities will be announced on a rolling basis.

About Minnesota’s Planning Grants

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program

The BEAD Program provides $42.45 billion to expand high-speed Internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs.

Minnesota will receive $5 million to fund various activities including:

  • Identification of unserved and underserved locations;
  • Efforts to support local coordination including outreach to diverse stakeholders across the Minnesota;
  • Planning and capacity-building of the state’s broadband office;
  • Local engagement with unserved, underserved, and underrepresented communities to better understand barriers to Internet adoption.

Digital Equity

The Digital Equity Act provides $2.75 billion to establish three grant programs to ensure that all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of our digital economy. The first part of NTIA’s execution of the Digital Equity Act is to fund digital equity planning efforts.

Minnesota will receive $881,905.10 to fund various activities including:

  • Development of a statewide digital equity plan to close the digital equity gap;
  • Recruiting staff to help develop the plan;
  • Engagement of local community members and stakeholders on digital equity issues.

Internet for All

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes a historic $65 billion investment to expand affordable and reliable high-speed Internet access in communities across the U.S. NTIA recently launched a series of new high-speed Internet grant programs funded by the law that will build high-speed Internet infrastructure across the country, create more low-cost high-speed Internet service options, and address the digital equity and inclusion needs in our communities.

Additionally, the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward Internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Visit AffordableConnectivity.gov to learn more.

For more information on the Biden-Harris Administration’s high-speed Internet service programs, please visit InternetforAll.gov.

More than 235 Applications Submitted to “Internet for All” Middle Mile Grant Program

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The NTIA reports…

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced today preliminary data that shows over 235 applications were submitted totaling more than $5.5 billion in funding requests for the Enabling Middle Mile Infrastructure Grant Program, part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to investing in affordable high-speed Internet for all.

Included in President Biden’s “Internet for All” initiative, the Middle Mile grant program provides $1 billion in funding to projects that connect high-speed Internet networks to each other and reduce the cost of bringing Internet service to communities that lack it. …

Applications for the Middle Mile program were due by September 30, 2022. NTIA will evaluate the applications and make awards on a rolling basis no earlier than March 2023.

It’s daunting to think that $1 billion has been approved and $5.5 billion has been requested. It reminds us that while a lot of federal funding is going to be investing in broadband, it may not be enough to reach all areas. Communities should be getting ready.