News
State and federal dollars for broadband are making their way to states, counties, and communities on the West Coast. Here’s a look at some of the most recent regional broadband headlines.
By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
Oregon has been approved to request access to over $688 million in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program funds.
The approval was announced earlier this month by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which has been responsible for reviewing and approving initial BEAD proposals.
Oregon Governor Governor Tina Kotek called the news an exciting development for the state.
She said Oregon is dedicated to closing the digital divide and to “ensure positive social, civic, economic, and educational outcomes” for the state’s residents.
“Oregon is committed to ensuring that all people across our state have access to affordable and reliable high-speed broadband internet,” she said, according to comments included in an NTIA release.
California approves millions in grants to close the digital divide
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved over $42 million in grants to increase access and enhance digital literacy across the state.
The funding, which was announced this week, includes up to $29 million for a middle mile and last mile fiber build in Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz counties.
According to a release from the CPUC, the project will bring fiber-to-the-home to 1,038 locations, and fixed-wireless access to 63 unserved locations upon completion.
Funding was also awarded to Surfnet Communications, to the tune of $10 million, to deploy fiber to 465 locations in San Luis Obispo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz counties.
Another $3.5 million was approved for three dozen digital inclusion grants, which will provide digital literacy training to 8,500 participants and broadband access to 11,190 participants, according to CPUC’s release.
Pilot program provides temporary access in rural Washington
A pilot program to provide temporary connectivity to a rural corner of Washington State is being celebrated by first responders.
The program, funded by a $4.6 million grant in Spokane County through Broadlinc, involves the use of Cellular on Wheels (COW) semi-fixed towers to provide temporary connectivity to local communities where networks are under construction.
Broadlinc, which is a public entity of the Spokane Regional Broadband Development Authority, has partnered with Peak Industries, New J and WiFIBER on the effort.
According to Broadlinc’s June 7 release, the pilot program has made connectivity available to 100 households and the Spokane County Fire District #3, through equipment in the vehicles of first responders.
We now have the ability to receive emergency call information not available to our units before, and Dispatch can now see where our vehicles are on the map when out on calls” said SCFD3 Deputy Chief Dustin Flock, according to Broadlinc’s release. “This is really going to be a game changer come fire season this summer.”
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