New Jersey Relying on Federal Broadband Investments to Make State More Equitable

Even before he took office Governor Phil Murphy (D-NJ) realized that access to high-speed internet is now a prerequisite for participation in our increasingly connected economy. One of the Murphy administration's first priorities was to create a middle-mile, fiber-optic cable network to connect New Jersey’s rural and urban communities to high-speed internet. In New Jersey, as elsewhere, the COVID-19 pandemic shined a spotlight on technology and connectivity gaps. Schools closed and moved to fully virtual learning environments. "But without equity of access, no amount of innovative program[ming] can boost student learning," said New Jersey Department of Education Commissioner Dr. Lamont Repollet at a June 2020 briefing with Governor Phil Murphy (D-NJ). The state stepped up efforts to close the digital divide.