For Immediate Release
December 12, 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 Arizona 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. Arizona is receiving $6,116,110.78 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.
"Expanded high-speed Internet infrastructure through the Internet for All initiative will open new doors for Arizona's schools, businesses, and tribal communities," said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. "I thank Governor Ducey for his efforts to make sure reliable, affordable high-speed Internet service is available to Arizonans statewide."
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 Arizona’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.
Arizona will receive $5 million to fund various planning activities including:
- Identification of unserved and underserved locations;
- Planning and capacity-building of the Arizona’s broadband office;
- Expanding the state's digital infrastructure statewide to improve the economy and quality of life for all Arizonans;
- Identification and prioritization of short term and long-term broadband projects;
- Engagement of partners and local stakeholders to align on a common, shared goal of providing affordable, reliable, and high-speed Internet service for all Arizonans.
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.
Arizona will receive $1,116,110.78 to fund various activities including:
- Creation of a State Digital Equity Plan;
- Engagement with community and stakeholders;
- Data collection to understand barriers to high-speed Internet service adoption.
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.