High-speed internet access could be on its way for thousands of Americans across 35 states and Puerto Rico who don’t have basic access to broadband services.
President Joe Biden announced $930 million in grants on Friday aimed at expanding access to broadband access in rural America. The “Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure” grants cover 35 states and Puerto Rico as part of the Department of Commerce’s program to bring high-speed internet access and large amounts of data across long distances.
Verizon, Spectrum, AT&T, and Optimum are among the 20 internet providers that have partnered with the White House on the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to bring high-speed internet access to people in need for $30 per month or less, but for qualifying households, there will be no cost. Individuals can check their eligibility and apply for the free service at GetInternet.gov.
“These networks are the workhorses carrying large amounts of data over very long distances,” Mitch Landrieu, the White House infrastructure coordinator, told AP News.
