US Government Announces $42 Billion BEAD Program to Bridge Internet Access Gap

The United States government has announced its plans to allocate a $42 billion broadband expansion program towards expanding access to high-speed broadband across the nation by 2030.

The White House has unveiled how the government will divvy up $42bn among the US’s 50 states to expand access to high-speed broadband by 2030. (Photo: iStock)

$42 Billion BEAD Program

In a move that supports President Joe Biden’s economic policies, the White House unveiled the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program and launched a new publicity campaign to raise awareness about this initiative.

The allocation of the $42 billion in federal funding for the BEAD program will be based on a recently released coverage map by the Federal Communications Commission, which identifies areas lacking broadband access.

Texas and California will receive the highest funding, with $3.1 billion and $1.9 billion respectively.

Surprisingly, less populated states such as Virginia, Alabama, and Louisiana have also secured spots in the top 10 list due to their limited broadband access.

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Biden Emphasizes Significance of BEAD Program

During a White House address, President Biden emphasized the significance of this investment. To ensure equitable distribution, each state will receive a minimum of $107 million.

This announcement marks the beginning of the second leg of President Biden’s tour, aimed at highlighting the impact of legislation passed during the first half of his term on the lives of ordinary Americans.

White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients drew a parallel between this broadband initiative and President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s efforts in 1936 to bring electricity to rural America.

According to the administration’s estimates, approximately 8.5 million locations in the US still lack access to broadband connections, underscoring the urgent need for this investment.

Companies like Verizon, Comcast, Charter Communications, and AT&T have been cautious about offering internet access in rural areas with low population density. They cite the high expenses associated with infrastructure development and the fact that these regions have a smaller number of potential customers as the reasons for their hesitancy.

The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the repercussions of inadequate broadband access, as students faced difficulties with online schooling during shutdowns.

With this ambitious $42 billion investment, the US government aims to bridge the digital divide, ensuring that high-speed internet access becomes a fundamental service accessible to all Americans.

READ ALSO: $930 Million In Funding Was Announced As Part Of Biden’s Effort To Expand Internet Access To Every Home In The US