Expanding Broadband Infrastructure and Digital Equity
- Approved over $1.5 million in federal Community Development Block Grant CARES Act funds for non-profit organizations, public housing authorities, and municipalities for projects that increased internet access for low- and moderate- income residents across the state in 2021. As an example, one of those grants provided over 100 residents of Newport Housing Authority in- home internet access as a standard utility.
- Received $108.7 million in federal funds from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program to deploy or upgrade high-speed Internet networks to ensure that everyone has access to reliable, affordable, high-speed Internet service. Once deployment goals are met, including those for Community Anchor Institutions, any remaining funding can be used on high-speed Internet adoption, training, and workforce development efforts, among other eligible uses.
- Obligated $25 million in Capital Projects Funds toward broadband last-mile infrastructure, which will provide internet to approximately 6,700 unserved and underserved households in Jamestown, Newport, and Westerly.
- Received $506,100 in November 2022 under the federal Digital Equity Act to fund various activities including the development of a statewide digital equity plan, engagement of local and regional stakeholders on internet access and equity issues, and completion of a digital equity survey and coordination with local government to ensure statewide outreach.
- Received approval of the Rhode Island Digital Equity Plan in May 2024, allowing the state to apply for $4.5 million in funding to begin to implement the plan.
- Received $450,000 to increase enrollment in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) in the state from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The ACP provides a $30 monthly subsidy to eligible households to help pay for broadband services. When the ACP stopped enrollment in April 2024, Rhode Island had the highest utilization of the program of any state in New England.