NEW JERSEY, TRENTON (MERCER) In an announcement made by the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet for All initiative awarded New Jersey its first “Internet for All” grants to be used for the deployment of high-speed Internet networks and the development of digital skills training programmes.
The state of New Jersey will receive $6,098,830.90 from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which was signed by President Biden, in order to prepare for the widespread rollout of high-speed Internet at a price that everyone can afford.
NTIA Director of Public Engagement Mark Colon made the announcement at the Trenton Public Library in Trenton, N.J., alongside representatives from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and Mayor Reed Gusciora.
Mayor Reed Gusciora is confident that the city’s “schools, companies, and residents” would all benefit from the groundbreaking programme. “Trenton is thrilled by the chance to help bridge the digital divide, and we look forward to getting started.” To quote Mayor Gusciora of Trenton:
Every resident of the Garden State should have access to the Internet, according to Gina Raimondo, the state’s secretary of commerce. “The Internet is an important utility that enables access to healthcare, education, and employment,” she said. Governor Murphy deserves praise for embracing the Internet Access for All movement.
Cory Booker, senator for New Jersey, has declared that “high-speed broadband is crucial for job, school, and staying connected with family and friends.” Widespread availability of high-speed Internet increases our country’s economic competitiveness and helps level the technological playing field.
Thank you to federal, state, and local leaders for working together to expand digital equity and high-speed internet access in every community thanks to my vote for the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy thanked the Biden Administration and the state’s congressional delegation for their efforts to provide residents’ access to low-cost, high-speed internet.
As I stated at the start of my administration, “I have been resolved to restore and refurbish our infrastructure, which includes not only roads and bridges, but the broadband that connects our inhabitants to opportunity and each other. These types of long-term federal investments will keep making life in our state and our communities more equitable.
Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, stated, “These days, high-speed internet is not a luxury – it’s a necessity.” “People in the United States need access to the internet in order to accomplish their jobs, manage their small companies, attend school, consult with their doctors via telehealth services, and stay in touch with friends and family.
The COVID-19 outbreak drove home the need to close the digital gap and give every home in the world access to the internet. It’s for this reason that I advocated for the Digital Equity Program and the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program to be included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
With this first funding, the state of New Jersey can ensure that all of its citizens benefit from the rollout of broadband connectivity on an equal basis. I’m excited to collaborate with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to bring high-speed internet to every resident of New Jersey.
According to Representative Donald Norcross, “reliable internet connection is vital for our school systems, health care, small companies, and job growth” (NJ-01). New Jersey will benefit economically from increased investment in broadband infrastructure, and working families will enjoy a higher standard of living as a result of efforts to reduce inequities in internet access.
I’m pleased to have supported this provision in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and look forward to expanding high-speed internet access to more households in New Jersey.
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I appreciate the Biden-Harris administration’s emphasis on broadband technology and want to express my gratitude. “These two essential awards will assist us to provide high-speed Internet access to thousands more New Jerseyans while guaranteeing digital equity,” said Joseph L. Fiordaliso, President, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.
To take use of telehealth services or to work from home in today’s economy, it is essential that everyone have access to high-speed Internet. The Murphy administration is committed to expanding access to high-speed Internet for all New Jerseyans as soon as possible.
Planning grants were available through the Internet for All initiative’s Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) programme and the Digital Equity Act programme, and all 50 states and 6 territories in the United States applied for them. Rolling announcements of grant winners will be made for each of the 56 qualifying organisations.
Information Regarding the State of New Jersey’s Financial Support for Long-Range Planning A Strategy for Expanding Broadband Access and Opportunity Providing funding for programmes in the areas of planning, infrastructure development, and adoption, the BEAD Program allocates $42.45 billion to increase access to high-speed Internet.
Some of the many projects that will receive funding from New Jersey’s $4,922,089.90 check are as follows: Extensive investigation and data gathering, including the initial selection of unserved and underserved areas;
Facilitation of writing, dissemination, and communication; Assistance in the form of workshops and other activities for potential subgrantees’ use in implementing the grant’s technical specifications
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Barriers to adoption are better understood through surveys of underprivileged, underrepresented, and unserved areas. Digital Parity To guarantee that all people and communities have the knowledge, access, and infrastructure necessary to fully participate in our digital economy, the Digital Equity Act allocates $2.75 billion to fund three grant programs. NTIA’s implementation of the Digital Equity Act starts with providing funding for digital equity planning.
The $1,176,741.00 grant will help pay for a wide range of projects in the Garden State, including but not limited to
- Implementing a Statewide Digital Equity Plan and bridging the digital divide;
- Employee selection and training;
- Participation of the community and other interested parties.
- Access to the Internet for All
To increase access to high-quality, low-cost Internet in every corner of the United States, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes a historic $65 billion investment. In response to the need to improve digital fairness and inclusion, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has developed a number of new high-speed Internet award programmes financed by the law.
In addition, homes that qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) of the Federal Communications Commission can save up to $30 per month on Internet access, and up to $75 per month for households located on qualified Tribal territories. For additional more, check out AffordableConnectivity.gov.
Visit InternetforAll.gov 4 details on the high-speed Internet service initiatives launched by the Biden-Harris administration.