The National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced last month that Florida would receive more than $1.1 billion to close the digital divide in the Sunshine State. The federal government’s Broadband Equity Access and Deployment program enables the funding, which provides $42.5 billion to expand high-speed Internet access in all 50 states and territories.
This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has the potential to bring universal broadband access to Floridians. However, doing so efficiently and in a timely manner will require close collaboration between the public and private sectors. By working together, governments and private providers can harness innovation, accelerate deployments, and create sustainable models that bridge the gap, ensuring equitable access to digital opportunities for all Floridians.
This can be seen in recent private sector efforts to bridge Florida’s digital divide. Over the past three years, AT&T has invested more than $1 billion annually to expand and improve Florida’s broadband networks. The funding directly impacted Florida households, creating an additional 2 million fiber locations statewide and upgrading AT&T’s wireless network to fifth generation technology.
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Last year alone, we expanded AT&T Fiber to 400,000 locations statewide, at speeds of 45 new connections per hour. This pace comes from the skilled workforce and the private sector’s ability to scale. As we work together to establish a solid foundation for broadband access, we must also address the other barriers to the accessibility and adoption of Internet connectivity.
Initiatives like the federal Affordable Connectivity Program are helping low-income families secure service by lowering the cost of home Internet. The impact on Florida has been undeniable, with more than 1.3 million households enrolled statewide as of June 2023. And the benefits of having a connected family extend across generations, with more than half of all enrolled over the age of 50. Without congressional action, funding for affordable connectivity is expected to dry up next spring.
But even when access and convenience are no longer barriers, we know that not everyone decides to subscribe; and this can be for various reasons. Therefore, to truly address the digital divide, we must simultaneously address internet adoption.
It’s one of the issues we plan to help with a $2 billion pledge to help bridge the digital divide. As part of this effort, we’ve facilitated digital literacy workshops, opened a Connected Learning Center, and partnered on device distribution events to equip students, parents, and seniors with the digital skills they need to succeed. With these in-person and online resources, the whole family is set for success.
Bridging the digital divide in Florida requires a collective effort. By working together, investing in infrastructure, embracing innovative technologies and prioritizing community engagement; we can forge a future where all Floridians can benefit from the opportunities of the digital age. Let’s collaborate and connect to make sure no one is left behind in the digital divide.
Joe York is president of AT&T Gulf States, where he oversees the company’s local, state and federal government relations, as well as its commercial and consumer affairs operations in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. He is a native and current resident of Jacksonville.
This guest column is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of the Times-Union. We welcome a diversity of opinions.