A federal grant has kicked off efforts to better connect all Delawareans with high-speed internet, including communities struggling for access.
The grant, a $107 million investment through the Biden-Harris administration, will be used by the state to address two main issues: affordability and lack of connectivity. Access to this program sets up residents with free or low-cost internet.
Though some Delawareans must qualify for free home internet, here’s what we know about the funding.
What we know about this investment
The funding, announced on June 26, comes through the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program — an initiative to tackle the digital divide and provide discounted internet service to areas that need attention.
Under the Affordable Connectivity Program, qualifying households can get a $30 monthly discount on home internet services or upgrades to faster internet speeds. Some other families may be eligible for free internet services, according to a news release.
The program aligns with the president’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law — a plan created two years ago to address the systemic and environmental inequities that Black Americans and other underserved communities face.
In March, Delaware Gov. John Carney and other municipal leaders launched a statewide effort to enroll families in the program. As of Friday, the state’s broadband expansion has reached more than 6,000 locations through American Rescue Plan funds and about 4,848 locations through funding from the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program, according to ArcGIS Online, a GIS mapping website.
Delaware is in the process of connecting more than 6,000 homes and businesses over 18 months, a news release states.
More:Delaware leaders launch statewide push to enroll families in affordable internet program
Why is this investment important?
Home internet access is a necessity, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic transformed many aspects of daily life – such as school or work. It’s also necessary to stay informed in the event of a public safety or health emergency.
While digital technology use has risen significantly over the years, some digital divide gaps remain in rural, urban and suburban America, according to a 2021 study conducted by Pew Research Center. In recent years, western Kent and Sussex counties have gone ignored by internet service providers.
The Affordable Connectivity Program, which prioritizes unserved and underserved communities in Delaware, will aid the residents who need internet access the most.
Interested in this program? Here’s how to check if you qualify
More than 140,000 Delaware households are estimated to be eligible for the program. To help residents enroll, state leaders and the Education Superhighway, a national nonprofit committed to closing the digital divide, created a tool for Delawareans to check if they qualify.
For more information on enrolling or to research your eligibility, visit getacp.org/de.
Contact local reporter Cameron Goodnight at cgoodnight@delawareonline.com, or by calling or texting 302-324-2208. Follow him on Twitter at @CamGoodnight.
