Originally posted on Data Center Frontier
Ilissa Miller, Founder & CEO iMiller Public Relations, explores the importance of making sure networks work for the communities they serve.
The Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program (BEAD) is well underway. Across the nation and all U.S.-owned territories, $42.5 billion in Federal funding is being deployed to construct broadband networks. These funds are allocated to companies that can help bridge underconnected communities in order to expand the United States’ broadband infrastructure with increased capacity and reach to everyone. Each state receives federal funds for specific projects; the grant dollars are distributed to businesses through an application process that validates their design and solutions that meet the program requirements. The program funds are administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), a United States Department of Commerce organization, with key deadlines and criteria required to be met along the way.
As an example, San Martin-based South Valley internet recently announced it has received up to $30 million in funding from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), leveraging California’s allocated BEAD funding, to extend broadband services to underserved communities.
However, while virtually every community understands the big picture and wants the funding, they may not know…or may have overlooked…a key element in making it all happen. As BEAD funding brings high speed broadband to underserved communities, we must stress the importance of interconnectivity hubs that manage and deliver the traffic.
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