- Federal Grant Program Now Open
- FCC Launches Mobile Speed Test App
- HUD Adds 97 Communities to ConnectHomeUSA
- Initial Proposal Approvals Continue for BEAD Funding
- Illinois Seeks Broadband and Digital Equity Policy Analyst
- Massachusetts City Releases Digital Equity Report
Applications are now open for the Digital Equity Act’s $1.25 billion Competitive Grant Program, according to a notice of funding opportunity released Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
This is the first funding opportunity through this program. The awards are expected to begin to be distributed this winter.
“Today’s announcement will leverage the ingenuity of local leaders to tailor programs to local needs to achieve the president and vice president’s goal of connecting every American to the benefits of affordable, high-speed Internet,” said National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard in a news release.
In an NTIA blog about the program, NTIA Digital Equity Director Angela Thi Bennett and NTIA Telecommunications Policy Analyst Maya C. James underlined the importance of preparing for the application process to most effectively impact covered populations — those impacted by the digital divide.
As such, NTIA has several resources to prepare applicants: a one-pager offers tips for applicants, the NTIA Digital Equity Technical Assistance Hub hosts resources, and NTIA’s Broadband USA newsletter provides updates.
These resources can offer information about what government accounts need to be set up ahead of time to access the portal, and what federal forms are needed to apply. Applicants can get organized and establish partnerships prior to applying, to support the work ahead.
The National Digital Inclusion Alliance will also host an educational webinar, Aug. 2 at 10 a.m. Pacific, to share information and advice about applications to the program. More information will be available on that webinar soon.
In other federal news, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has launched a new Mobile Speed Test app, aiming to make it easier to challenge the accuracy of provider-reported coverage data.
The new app is part of the FCC’s Broadband Data Collection program. It replaces the FCC Speed Test app and offers new features, including the ability for users to complete repeated tests without re-entering information.
Users can submit their tests to the FCC as challenges to provider-reported coverage or as crowdsource data. The data collected from this app will be used to improve the accuracy of the mobile coverage information on the FCC’s National Broadband Map.
Also in federal news, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the selection of 97 communities to participate in the ConnectHomeUSA initiative. This initiative aims to bring training and technical assistance to communities by way of access to Internet, devices and digital skills training.
ConnectHomeUSA launched in 2015 with 28 pilot communities. In December, applications opened for this new round of federal grants. This is the first time HUD has accepted new communities since 2020. This phase has expanded to include HUD Continuum of Care and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS grantees. A complete list of the ConnectHomeUSA communities can be found on the HUD website.
At the state level, two more states have had their initial proposals approved for Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program funding, as of Thursday morning. The BEAD program is a $42.45 billion state grant program enacted through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
This week, Utah and Connecticut are the latest in a series of states to see these proposals accepted. Last week, Rhode Island and Hawaii saw their proposals accepted. Two territories also saw their proposals approved this week: the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Through the BEAD program, Utah will receive up to $317 million and Connecticut will receive up to $144 million. The Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands was allocated up to $80 million, and the U.S. Virgin Islands will receive up to $27 million. These approvals enable BEAD-eligible entities to access funding and begin BEAD program implementation.
In other state news, Illinois is looking to hire a broadband and digital equity policy analyst. The person hired for this role would be a part of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
He or she will be involved in implementing the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program and Digital Equity Act. They may also have a role in implementing the Dig Once statute. The state is seeking applicants who have a bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, business administration, journalism, communications, information technology or a related area.
At the local level, the city of Worcester, Mass., has released a digital equity report. It details the current digital landscape in the city, relating to Internet access, device access and digital literacy.
The report was created in partnership with the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) and the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC). It uses information from sources including public workshops, broadband usage data, community surveys and resource mapping. The city applied to take part in the Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program through the MBI, and selected CMRPC as the consultant.
The report reveals several findings about the community's digital divide, including that 12.2 percent of households in the city do not have an Internet subscription. The report offers recommendations to improve digital equity, such as creating a coalition of community partners that includes the Worcester Public Library. The report also recommends the library expand its digital skill training and device lending programs.