Ryan Oakes
Federal Infrastructure Funding Creates Huge Broadband Responsibilities for States
States will receive billions to improve broadband access from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), but have limited experience administering broadband grant programs. Here are important priorities to consider to effectively use the money:
Data-Centric Approach Key to State Broadband Expansion
With significant funds being allocated by federal and state governments, the requisite attention and resources may finally be lining up to make big headway in narrowing the digital divide. However, the focus must shift to expanding broadband access in the fastest and most efficient way. Leveraging extensive data sets from private, public and nonprofit sources and applying artificial intelligence capabilities can provide insights from the largest lens down to a microscopic view of state, county and census block groups.