WV Broadband Enhancement Council hears update on federal funding to expand internet access – WV MetroNews
WV Broadband Enhancement Council hears update on federal funding to expand internet access West Virginia MetroNews
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West Virginia Moves Closer to Receiving $1.2 Billion in Federal Funding for Internet Access
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia is one step closer to receiving $1.2 billion in federal funding to increase internet access across the state.
Authorization and Release of Funding
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Federal Program Officer Chip Spann informed members of the state Broadband Enhancement Council on Thursday that their budget office has approved the authorization and release of $1.2 billion in federal funding for internet access.
Spann stated, “That acceptance and approval letter should be released very soon. I’m guessing maybe no later than next week.”
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
The funding is a result of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed by Congress and signed by President Biden in 2021. This legislation allocated $42.45 billion for broadband expansion.
State’s Efforts for Connectivity
West Virginia state officials have been diligently working on a framework to effectively implement the broadband expansion. They have completed a comprehensive five-year action plan for connectivity efforts.
As part of this process, the state has sought public input through the Broadband Equity, Access & Deployment (BEAD) Challenge Process.
Kelly Workman, Director of the state Office of Broadband, explained, “With the draft public comment, we have developed an initial review of the BEAD eligible target locations. These locations are then grouped into target areas, which are further grouped into target regions.”
The plan allows residents to assess the quality of their internet service based on the Federal Communications Commission’s National Broadband Map, which displays internet quality across the state.
Maximizing the Benefits of Infrastructure
Workman emphasized the importance of utilizing the new infrastructure to its maximum potential and improving the lives of West Virginians throughout the state. She highlighted that West Virginia currently ranks 50th in the nation in terms of broadband connectivity, necessitating extra efforts to ensure effective improvements.
Workman stated, “We weren’t required by NTIA to put that out for public comment, but we did. We felt it was an important step in the whole process to say here’s what we think these target areas and regions are going to look like and to give the internet service providers and others an opportunity to provide feedback on that.”
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
The article discusses the efforts to increase internet access in West Virginia, which is related to SDG 9, specifically target 9.c, which aims to significantly increase access to information and communications technology (ICT) and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the internet in least developed countries by 2020. Additionally, SDG 17, which focuses on partnerships for sustainable development, is relevant as it highlights the collaboration between the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), state officials, and internet service providers to improve broadband connectivity.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communications technology (ICT) and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the internet in least developed countries by 2020.
The specific target identified in the article is target 9.c, which aims to increase access to ICT and provide universal and affordable access to the internet. The article highlights the efforts of West Virginia to improve internet access across the state through the allocation of $1.2 billion in federal funding.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator: Broadband connectivity ranking
The article mentions that West Virginia ranks 50th in the nation in terms of broadband connectivity. This indicator can be used to measure progress towards target 9.c, as improvements in broadband connectivity would lead to a higher ranking and better access to the internet for residents.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | Target 9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communications technology (ICT) and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the internet in least developed countries by 2020. | Broadband connectivity ranking |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | N/A | N/A |
The table presents the findings from analyzing the article, including the relevant SDGs, targets, and indicators. It shows that SDG 9, specifically target 9.c, is addressed in the article, and the indicator mentioned is the broadband connectivity ranking. SDG 17 is also connected to the issue of improving internet access through partnerships, but no specific targets or indicators are mentioned in the article.
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Source: wvmetronews.com
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