Washington Addressing Digital Divide With New Fiber Network

This week Washington (DC) broke ground on a new high-speed fiber network aimed at providing broadband access to underserved areas. Called the DC Community Access Network (DC-CAN), the program will focus on rolling out high-speed Internet services to residents, businesses, schools libraries and other public centers.

The new $25 million network is funded primarily through a $17.5 million grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. The DC government will also provide matching funds for the network Specifically DC-CAN will offer service to 223 health clinics, charter schools and senior centers, and will upgrade 68 public library and public safety sites. DC-CAN will service areas that have broadband adoption rates of less than 40 percent. DC-CAN is managed by the district’s Office of the Chief Technology Officer DC-Net program. DC-Net is the district’s high-speed fiber-optic network, but the two entities aren't connected and will serve different purposes. Washington (DC) is divided into eight wards, and high-speed Internet services will be available later this year in wards seven and eight. Ward five is scheduled for rollout in spring 2012. Other wards and areas will receive broadband capability as fiber construction continues through 2013.