The federal government recently approved Alabama’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment proposal, nearly a decade after the push for high-speed internet in rural Alabama began when Gov. Kay Ivey took office in 2017.
) - The federal government recently approved Alabama’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment proposal, nearly a decade after the push for high-speed internet in rural Alabama began when Gov.
Kay Ivey took office in 2017. The state was awarded $1.4 billion for its BEAD program. Internet service providers will get nearly $460 million of that money for 63 projects. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is leading the effort to expand broadband service to 92,000 unserved locations across the state including houses, businesses, schools, and hospitals.
Kenneth Boswell, ADECA’s director, said the BEAD dollars will pick up the majority of unserved locations, but some spots will likely remain without service. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration approved Alabama’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program. The program’s goal is to bring high-speed internet service to places that don’t have it.
“It is a lifeline. You have to have internet. It is right up there with electricity and running water. You have to have internet in your communities today,” Figures said.
Some providers include Amazon, AT&T, Xfinity, and SpaceX. Others are Alabama-based companies like Millry Communications, ATC, Mstreet Fiber by Meridiam, and Kinetic by Windstream. Once the work starts, they’ll have four years. ADECA will have a monitoring program to make sure these projects are done on time.
That includes field inspections, technical assistance calls, and desk reviews. While ADECA is still developing contracts for the projects, Chester Caulder, general manager for Millry Communications, said he has concerns about timing.
“If I place an order for the fiber optic cable I need for BEAD today and I don’t have a contract yet, if I place an order for that fiber now, it will be 52 weeks at a minimum before I get that fiber,” Caulder said. Fiber will be used in 71% of the projects, according to the state. Satellite will be used in 24% of the projects and hybrid fiber-coaxial will be used in 5%.
Companies do have some leeway if an exceptional extension is granted by the federal government. Boswell said that would mean if they ran into problems terrain-wise or if they were substantially complete and needed extra time to finish up paperwork. Another possible issue is permits. Boswell said the governor’s office pulled both ADECA and ALDOT together to work on an expedited process, but there are still things the companies have to do.
Boswell said he could not give a specific date for when work will start, but it will be before the end of this year.
“Long story short, they’re taking that risk and they need to make sure that application process and that grant is followed to a tee,” Boswell said. The state has more than $800 million in BEAD funding still unspent. ADECA says one option is to use that money to reach places this plan missed, but they’re waiting on federal guidance.
Boswell said the cost of high-speed internet once it’s up and running will come down to the provider, but keeping it affordable is the goal. WATCH: Video shows Hancock County students stopping school bus after driver passes outHigh Speed Hope: Wait for Broadband Is Almost Over - But the Work is Just Beginning
Rural Internet Access BEAD Program Funding High-Speed Internet Alabama ADECA Broadband Plan
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