Improving Broadband Access Across Idaho

In Fiscal Year 2023, the Idaho Office of Broadband and Idaho Broadband Advisory Board (IBAB) continued its mission of improving Broadband access across Idaho. The Office of Broadband, the department hired a new State Broadband Program Manager to oversee the office — Ramón S. Hobdey-Sánchez. The Office of Broadband also co-hosted a national conference with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), awarded broadband funds through IBAB and continued work on educating stakeholders and the general public on upcoming broadband funding opportunities. In advance of the 2023 Legislative Session, the office worked with stakeholders and internet service providers to identify broadband infrastructure needs in Idaho communities statewide, which played a key role in the office’s ability to secure legislative spending authority for the Capital Projects Fund (CPF) of $125 million. To end the fiscal year on a high note, NTIA announced Idaho will receive $583 million in BEAD funding to bring affordable, reliable, high-speed internet to Idahoans across the State.