Connecticut will be receiving a $5.7 million budget to improve the state’s internet service. The budget was made possible by the initiative of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Internet for All, says Wade.
The state of Connecticut was awarded a $5.7 million budget by the federal government. The purpose of this program is to improve the state’s internet service and coverage, especially in those communities with low income. The budget includes a Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment grant worth $4.2 million and a Digital Equity grant worth $736,568. This budget was made possible by the initiative of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Internet for All.This budget also came from the state’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. According to the law, the state of Connecticut has an allocation of $65 billion for the improvement of access to affordable and high-speed internet in communities across the U.S. Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont labeled the budget as “seed money”. According to him, this “seed money” is for a wider perspective. With better internet service, more than $100 million may return to the state over the next several years.
Connecticut’s Internet Service
Despite the concerns about the state’s internet services, Connecticut is ranked second in the U.S. for having the highest internet speed, coverage, and accessibility. BroadbandNow Research says, more than 99.4% of Connecticut’s families can afford to purchase a high-speed internet plan.
However, officials announced that there are still 8 out of 10 residents who cannot afford to purchase internet plans for $60 or less a month. These residents come from minority communities with low incomes. Apparently, Connecticut also houses a lot of competition for internet service providers. There are at least 83 internet service providers authorized by the state to supply internet access to the residents, as reported by Wade.