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Governor Announces that Louisiana has Joined National “Internet for All” Initiative to Bring Affordable, Reliable High-Speed Internet to Everyone

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards and the United States Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced on May 19, 2022, that Louisiana has signed on to participate in the “Internet for All” initiative, which will invest $65 billion to provide affordable, reliable, high-speed internet to all Americans by the end of the decade.

The Internet for All programs, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act and administered by NTIA, will build internet infrastructure, teach digital skills, and provide necessary technology to ensure that everyone in America – including communities of color, rural communities, and older Americans – has access and skills to fully participate in today’s society.

“Partnering with Commerce/NTIA will allow Louisiana to achieve what we thought was impossible. We will now have the financial resources necessary to once and for all eliminate the digital divide in Louisiana. We are grateful to both Secretary Raimondo and Assistant Secretary Davidson of NTIA for their leadership and partnership. Over the past several years, our Broadband Office (ConnectLa) has worked hard to align resources between federal, state, and local officials to take full advantage of this historic broadband funding opportunity. We look forward to partnering with the people of Louisiana to make closing the divide a reality,” said Gov. Edwards.

Last Friday, the Internet for All programs began with three Notices of Funding Opportunity:

• Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program ($42.5 billion);
• Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program ($1 billion); and,
• State Digital Equity Act programs ($1.5 billion).

Louisiana has submitted a letter of intent and a planning funds budget to participate in the BEAD Program, which will unlock $5 million in planning funds and allow states to begin developing their five-year action plan. Dedicated NTIA staff will provide direct support to each state throughout the process. Each participating state is guaranteed a minimum $100 million allocation, with additional funding determined based on the Federal Communications Commission’s upcoming coverage maps.

The launch of the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program on Friday marks the beginning of a series of Digital Equity Act steps that will invest $1.5 billion to increase adoption and use, such as digital literacy training, for those who need it the most, including communities of color, rural communities, and older Americans. The Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program will provide grants to eligible entities on a technology-neutral, competitive basis for the construction, improvement, or acquisition of middle-mile infrastructure.

For more information, follow this link to read the Internet for All Fact Sheet.

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