Broadband
Access to fast, reliable broadband is critical to households, businesses, and communities in the modern economy. The ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency has underscored the necessity of broadband access for critical services like distance learning, remote work, telehealth, and commerce.
NGA Resources
Broadband Federal Funding Programs
This resource covers federal funding grant programs that have a discreet allocation of funding and are distributed to state and local governments, the private sector, anchor and healthcare institutions, and ...
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State of the States – 2021
Governors of states, territories and commonwealths are outlining their priorities for 2021 in state of the state or commonwealth addresses, as well as inaugural addresses for new and re-elected Governors ...
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Broadband Access for Success in Postsecondary Education
Postsecondary institutions have a critical role in expanding affordable broadband access and closing the digital divide. by Rachel Hirsch and Jake Varn The gap between those with and those without ...
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Governors Start 2021 by Expanding Access to Broadband
Governors are proposing record levels of investments in broadband infrastructure. by Jake Varn, Policy Analyst, Infrastructure Tens of millions of Americans lack a reliable, high-speed internet connection due to either ...
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The Future of State Telehealth Policy
This paper summarizes the types of telehealth policy flexibilities provided by states and the federal government during the COVID-19 pandemic and longer-term considerations for Governors regarding the impact of such ...
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Featured Videos
Governors Discuss Broadband Access And Education
In this 2020 Winter Meeting session Montana Governor Steve Bullock and Colorado Governor Jared Polis lead a discussion on the importance of reliable broadband access for all areas of their states to support education and economic development.
NGA Webinar on Broadband Deployment: U.S. Department Of Agriculture’s Rural Programs
This webinar features a presentation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture on rural broadband deployment programs and resources. The webinar focuses on these programs’ relevancy to governors’ offices, share best practices, and offer actions governors can consider to support program applications in their state.
Broadband Federal Funding Programs
The federal government administers several programs through various agencies to fund investment in broadband infrastructure, equipment, access, and affordability. The table below includes programs that were created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and previously-existing programs administered annually.
This resource covers federal funding grant programs that have a discreet allocation of funding and are distributed to state and local governments, the private sector, anchor and healthcare institutions, and directly to the public. Additional federal support may be provided as an eligible reimbursement within other programs and formula funding sources – for a complete list of all federal sources for which broadband is an eligible expense, please see this resource compiled by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (note: NTIA is currently updating their database – this link will be updated to the new searchable database as soon as that work is complete).
Terms/Abbreviations
| Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act | CARES Act |
| Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act | CRRSA |
| Federal Communications Commission | FCC |
| Internet Service Provider | ISP |
| National Telecommunications and Information Administration | NTIA |
| Rural Utilities Service | RUS |
| U.S. Department of Agriculture | USDA |
| U.S. Department of Commerce | Commerce |
| U.S. Department of Education | Education |
| U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | HUD |
| U.S. Department of the Treasury | Treasury |
| Universal Service Fund | USF |
Updated: 8 Jun 2021 | Download
| Agency / Branch | Program Name | Program Description | Total Funding | Individual Funding Awards | Eligible Recipients | Program Type | Spending Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USDA – RUS | Reconnect Loan and Grant | Provides loans and grants to cover broadband construction costs in eligible rural areas | $635 million (FY2021) $100 million (CARES) | Loan up to $50 million, with 2 percent interest. Combo loan/grant $25 million each. Grants available up to $25 million with a 25 percent match | State/Local, Tribe | Existing Program with additional COVID-related funding | Program renewed annually |
| USDA – RUS | Distance Learning and Telemedicine | Helps remote learning and telehealth telecommunications needs in rural areas | $57 million (FY2021) $25 million (CARES) | Grants are awarded with a 15 percent match requirement. Awards range from $50,000 to $1 million | State/Local, K-12, Higher Ed, Tribe, Library, Hospital | Existing Program with additional COVID-related funding | Program renewed annually |
| USDA – RUS | Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans and Loan Guarantees | Provides financing support to expand telephone and broadband access in rural areas with fewer than 5,000 people | $690 million (FY2021) | Cost-of-Money loans available directly, as well as loan guarantees to private lenders to connect local borrowers | State/Local, Tribe | Existing Program | Applications accepted year-round |
| FCC - USF | Connect America Fund – High Cost | The program funds broadband service in unserved and underserved areas by funding ISP connection plans | $4.5 billion (FY2020) | 103 bidders are splitting the awards to serve more than 700,000 locations in 45 states | ISPs | Existing Program | NA - not for states |
| FCC – USF | Lifeline – Low Income | Assists low income individuals to help pay phone and connections charges | $2.385 billion (FY2020) | Allocates $9.25 per household in broadband support per month | Consumer Direct | Existing Program | NA - not for states |
| FCC – USF | Schools and Libraries – E-Rate | Eligible schools and libraries receive discounts on costs of telecommunications services | $4.15 billion (FY2019) $7.2 billion (ARP) | Discounts range from 20 to 90 percent, based on the poverty level of the school, with rural schools and libraries potentially receiving higher discounts | K-12, Library | Existing Program with additional COVID-related funding | NA - not for states |
| FCC – USF | Rural Health Care | Reduces costs for rural health care providers to make telecommunication services more competitive with urban provider costs | $605 million (FY2020) $200 million (CARES) | Eligible providers may receive a 65 percent flat discount on telecommunications services | Rural health care providers, including schools, community care centers, local health depts; full eligibity details in link. | Existing Program with additional COVID-related funding | NA - not for states |
| FCC | Rural Digital Opportunity Fund | Targets completely unserved areas to be followed by partially served areas by funding ISP broadband deployment in eligible census blocks | $20.4 billion over 10 years | The first auction to award up to $16 billion for unserved areas was held in October 2020 | ISPs | Existing Program | NA - not for states |
| FCC | 5G Fund for Rural America | Deploying 5G services to eligible rural communities | $9 billion | Currently seeking public comment on how to distribute project funds | ISPs | Existing Program | NA - not for states |
| FCC | Secure and Trusted Communications Reimbursement Program | Requires ISPS to "Rip and Replace" covered equipment and services to secure the network. Any funding recipient must remove and replace covered equipment and services. | $1.6 billion | Program will reimburse costs reasonably incurred for the removeal, replacement, and disposal of covered equipment. | ISPs with 10 million or fewer customers | Newly Created Program | NA - not for states |
| FCC | COVID-19 Telehealth Program | Provides immediate support to eligible health care providers by funding telecommunications services, information services, and connected devices. | $200 million (CARES) $249.95 million (CRRSA) | The first round of funding supported over 500 health care facilities. Applications for the second round will be due on May 6th and opening April 26th. | Health Care Providers | New COVID Program | Closed May 6, 2021 |
| FCC | Emergency Broadband Benefit | Provides discounts to eligible low-income families on broadband services | $3.2 billion (CRRSA) | Eligible families may receive up to $50 per month, $75 per month on Tribal lands, and a one-time discount of $100 on a computer or tablet. | Individual Families | New COVID Program | NA - not for states |
| FCC | Emergency Connectivity Fund | Provides funding to schools and libraries for laptops, Wi-Fi hotspots or other internet devices. | $7.17 billion (ARP) | Reimburses 100% of the costs to purchase eligible internet equipment for a school or library. | Libraries and Schools | New COVID Program | NA - not for states |
| NTIA | Tribal Broadband Connectivity Grants | Program to expand broadband deployment on Tribal lands, targeted at telehealth, remote learning, affordability, and digital inclusion | $1 billion (CRRSA) | Tribal governments and other eligible entities can apply for funding, with grant awards between $50,000 and $50 million. | Tribe | New COVID Program | Apply by September 1, 2021 |
| NTIA | Broadband Infrastructure Deployment Grants | Program to promote partnerships for state subdivisions and fixed broadband service providers, targeted at rural areas. | $300 million (CRRSA) | Awards to be made between $5 million and $30 million. There is no cost sharing requirement and projects need to be implemented within one year. | Partnerships between a state, or one or more political subdivisions of a state and providers of fixed broadband service. ETC designation is not required. | New COVID Program | Apply by August 17, 2021 |
| NTIA | Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program | Grant program targeted at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions to purchase internet equipment or hire IT personnel. | $285 million (CRRSA) | This program provides grants directly to students to pay for internet services or equipment. | Schools | New COVID Program | NA |
| Education | Elementary and Secondary Relief Fund | K-12 emergency funding to respond to COVID crisis growing need for remote learning | $13.2 billion (CARES) $54.3 billion (CRRSA) $122 billion (ARP) | States are awarded funds in proportion to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) | State | New COVID Program | CARES funding available for obligation through September 2021, CRRSA funding available for obligation through September 2022, ARP funding available for obligation through September 2023 |
| Education | Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund | Reimburses students and teachers for technology needs | $14.25 billion (CARES) $21.2 billion (CRRSA) | The funds will be awarded to higher education institutions on a formula outlined by Congress | Schools, Students | New COVID Program | CARES funding available for obligation through September 2022, CRRSA funding available for obligation through September 2023 |
| Education | Governor’s Emergency Relief Fund | Block grants for educational entities most impacted by COVID. The grants are largely flexible to cover current student and school needs. | $3 billion (CARES) $4.053 billion (CRRSA) | Funds are awarded to Governors’ offices 60 percent based on relative school-aged population and 40 percent based on children counted under ESEA | State | New COVID Program | CARES funding available for obligation through September 2022, CRRSA funding available for obligation through September 2023 |
| Education | Title I, Part A | Provides financial assistance to schools with high percentages of low-income students. | $16.31 billion (FY2020) | States are awarded funds on a formula basis | State | Existing Program | Renewed annually |
| Education | Title IV, Part A | Improves technology accessibility and digital literacy for all students | $1.21 billion (FY2020) | States are awarded funds on a formula basis | State | Existing Program | Renewed annually |
| HUD | Community Development Block Grants | Block grants are provided annually on a formula to states for primarily low- and moderate-income assistance projects. Funds may be used to install broadband infrastructure to benefit eligible communities. | $3.4 billion (FY2020) $5 billion (CARES) | While funds are not exclusively focused on broadband infrastructure, states may flexibly allocate funding toward broadband. West Virginia has utilized these funds toward broadband expansion. | State | Existing Program with additional COVID-related funding | Also see FAQs |
| Treasury | Capital Projects Fund | Funding will assist governments to carry out capital projects that directly enable work, education, and health monitoring, including remote options. | $10 billion (ARP) | Additional guidance to come, applications will be accepted during the summer of 2021. | States/Local, Tribe | New COVID Program | Funds available in Summer 2021, no deadline known |
| Treasury | Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund | The ARP provided flexible funding to states to aid economic impacts, with one investment use to be in broadband infrastructure. | $350 billion (ARP) $195 billion going to states | Additional guidance to come | States/Local, Tribe | New COVID Program | Available one year after pandemic declared over |
| Treasury | Homeowner Assistance Fund | To be distributed to states, territories, and local governments by the Treasury Department, which includes payment for broadband services as one of the several qualified expenses eligible for relief. | $10 billion (ARP) | Additional guidance to come | State/Local, Tribe | New COVID Program | Funds request deadline was April 25, 2021. |
| Commerce | Economic Development Administration Grants | Distribute under the Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs, of which include broadband projects as an eligible expense for economically distressed communities. | $1.5 billion (CARES) $3 billion (ARP) | Applicants will be awarded on an ongoing basis until a new award is published or all funds have been expended | State/Local, Tribe | Existing Program with additional COVID-related funding | Applications accepted until funds have been expended |
| Delta Regional Authority | Delta Regional Authority | Provides direct investment into community based projects, 75 percent of which must go to economically distressed counties and parishes. Half of these funds must be allocated to basic public infrastructure which includes broadband. | $12.35 million (FY2020) | States receive formula balance to be designated for eligible projects meeting program criteria. | 8 states in Delta region | Existing Program | Program renewed annually. Current applications due June 6 to local development districts. |
| Delta Regional Authority | Community Infrastructure Fund | Targets physical infrastucture projects to build more resilient communities in the region. Investments include basic public infrastructure development such as broadband. | $15 million (FY2020) | States receive formula balance to be designated for eligible projects meeting program criteria. | 8 states in Delta region | Existing Program | Program renewed annually |
| Appalachian Regional Commission | Area Development Program | Makes investments in critical infrastructure and business and workforce development. Broadband is a prioirity investment area withing the critical infrastrucutre investments. | $40,945 million (FY2020) | Applicants should reach out to state grant managers. Matches are required and vary by counties' economic status. | 13 States in Appalachian Region | Existing Program | Program renewed annually |