The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that New Hampshire received its first “Internet for All” grants for deploying high-speed Internet networks and developing digital skills training programs under the Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet for All initiative. New Hampshire is receiving $5,525,033.51 in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Biden, to plan for the deployment and adoption of affordable, equitable, and reliable high-speed Internet service throughout the state.
"I thank Governor Sununu for his support for the Internet for All initiative," said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. "Bringing Internet connectivity to all, especially those in rural and unserved communities, is essential to provide equitable access to education, work, and health services."
“I’m thrilled to welcome over $5.5 million to New Hampshire to expand broadband by planning and developing infrastructure deployment. Connectivity drives our small businesses, schools and economy, yet too many rural communities across our state still don’t have reliable broadband. As a lead negotiator around broadband provisions in the bipartisan infrastructure deal that made this funding possible, it’s rewarding to see this funding in action,” said New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. “I’m excited for the Granite State to harness these broadband investments – putting more households on the map and propelling our state forward.”
“Expanding high-speed internet access to New Hampshire is essential to helping young people, families, and small businesses thrive in every corner of our state – which is why we worked to secure critical broadband funding in the bipartisan infrastructure law,” said New Hampshire Sen. Maggie Hassan. “This federal funding is an exciting step forward, and I look forward to seeing how New Hampshire will use bipartisan infrastructure law funding to work with local communities and get high-speed internet access to every household and small business in our state.”
All 50 U.S. states and six territories applied for planning grant funding for the Internet for All initiative's Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program and the Digital Equity Act program. Grant awards for all 56 eligible entities will be announced on a rolling basis.
About New Hampshire’s Planning Grants
Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program
The BEAD Program provides $42.45 billion to expand high-speed Internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs.
New Hampshire will receive $5 million to fund various activities including:
- Supporting the development of a Five-Year Action Plan, advancing the goals of the BEAD Program, and eventually contributing to ensuring all residents of New Hampshire have both access to broadband but also the means and training to best use it;
- Research and data collection, including initial identification of unserved locations and underserved locations;
- Providing technical assistance to potential subgrantees, including through workshops and events;
- Asset mapping to catalogue broadband adoption, affordability, equity, access, and deployment activities.
The Digital Equity Act provides $2.75 billion to establish three grant programs to ensure that all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of our digital economy. The first part of NTIA’s execution of the Digital Equity Act is to fund digital equity planning efforts.
New Hampshire will receive $525,033.51 to fund various activities including:
- Helping close the digital equity gap and the development of a Statewide Digital Equity Plan;
- Supporting development of a plan to identify covered populations and their digital equity challenges and developing strategies to address those challenges.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes a historic $65 billion investment to expand affordable and reliable high-speed Internet access in communities across the U.S. NTIA recently launched a series of new high-speed Internet grant programs funded by the law that will build high-speed Internet infrastructure across the country, create more low-cost high-speed Internet service options, and address the digital equity and inclusion needs in our communities.
Additionally, the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward Internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Visit AffordableConnectivity.gov to learn more.
For more information on the Biden-Harris Administration’s high-speed Internet service programs, please visit InternetforAll.gov.
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