For Immediate Release
November 21, 2022
Press Contact
NTIA, Office of Public Affairs, (202) 482-7002, [email protected]
WASHINGTON – The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that Delaware 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. Delaware is receiving $5,511,209.05 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 throughout the state.
"I commend Governor Carney for his commitment to provide high-speed Internet connectivity to everyone in Delaware," said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. "Equitable high-speed Internet access will help close the digital divide and eliminate barriers to learning and work opportunities."
“Funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will allow Delaware to build upon our current broadband plan that is connecting nearly 4,500 addresses over the next 18 months,” said Delaware Governor John Carney. “While this initial BEAD and Digital Equity funding is for planning activities, we believe it will provide a pathway that will help Delaware reach its goal of connecting every home to high-speed, wired internet."
“This is a welcome start to what we should be able to accomplish with the funding designated through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said Senator Chris Coons. “It will open up opportunities for improving the lives of Delawareans across the state, and these projects in particular will begin the process of initiating projects in some Delaware areas most in need of technological advancement.”
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 Delaware’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.
Delaware will receive $4,995,113 to fund various activities including:
- Identification of unserved and underserved locations;
- Planning and capacity building of Delaware's Department of Technology & Information for broadband deployment;
- Development of a workforce strategy with key partners to recruit and train residents for employment in infrastructure projects;
- Surveys of unserved, underserved, and underrepresented communities to better understand barriers to high-speed 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.
Delaware will receive $516,096.05 to fund various activities including:
- Creation of a Delaware Digital Equity plan;
- Engagement with stakeholder communities;
- Subawards to support stakeholder capacity development in three counties.
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 programs please visit InternetforAll.gov.