The first in a series of virtual public roundtable meetings hosted by federal and state agencies will kick off Feb. 16 for New Jersey residents to learn more about the Internet for All initiative that aims to make high-speed internet access more affordable and available.
Under the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, a historic $65 billion in funding is available to the states to transform the nation’s digital infrastructure, just as previous generations launched projects to bring electricity to the entire country. More than $300 million has already been distributed to states for planning grants to prepare to use the coming billions in broadband funding effectively.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the New Jersey Office of Broadband Connectivity are hosting the online meeting to share information about the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program and $2.75 billion in Digital Equity Act grant funding, which will be used to ensure people have the skills and technology for Internet connectivity.
The New Jersey public meetings will be held monthly from February through July. To register to participate in the Feb. 16 meeting, which will be held online at 1 p.m., register here.
“This first meeting is an introduction to these programs, explains the coordination between NTIA and the NJ Office of Broadband Connectivity, and outlines upcoming important dates,” said Brynn Deprey, Ph.D., New Jersey federal program officer for NTIA.
