[1st-mile-nm] 2021 Infrastructure Bill (Broadband)

[Richard Lowenberg]

I hope I have this right.

--------

2021 Infrastructure Bill (Broadband)

After months of talks, the U.S. Senate passed the Infrastructure 
Investment and Jobs Act today in a 69-30 vote. The bipartisan bill 
includes a $65 billion broadband proposal, designed to “connect every 
American to reliable high-speed internet,” according to the White House.

More about the Bill:
The “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act” totals nearly $1 trillion, 
with $65 billion set aside for broadband and historic levels of support 
for digital inclusion.  Below is a breakdown of the funding allocations 
relative to broadband programs and digital inclusion.

Digital Equity Act: $2.75 billion (over 5 years)
o	$60 million for state planning grants
o	$1.44 billion for state implementation grants
o	$1.25 billion ($250 million a year for 5 years) for competitive grant 
program

Broadband Grants for States, DC, Puerto Rico & Territories: $42.5 
billion
o	This is a new grant program the National Telecommunications and 
Information Administration (NTIA) will manage. The deployment funds will 
be issued as block grants to states with rules defined by the NTIA.
o	In addition to deployment, states can use funds from these grants for 
digital equity uses, including:
o	To deploy affordable networks in low-income, multi-family buildings
o	To promote broadband adoption
o	Deployment grant recipients (ISPs) must offer a ‘low-cost’ or 
affordable plan for consumers.

Broadband Benefit: $14.2 billion
o	Extends and amends the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, including 
changing the name to the “Affordable Connectivity Program,” paving the 
way for a permanent program
o	All internet service plans are required to be eligible for the 
Affordable Connectivity Program
o	The program benefit is reduced to $30/month
o	Eligibility for the program is increased from 135% of poverty line to 
200% of the poverty line

Tribal Connectivity Program: $2 billion
o	Extends the Tribal Connectivity Program created by Congress in the 
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA)

Middle Mile Connectivity: $1 billion
o	Creates a grant program at NTIA for expanding middle mile access, 
which will help connect unserved anchor institutions and make last-mile 
buildout to unserved households easier and cheaper.



---------------------------------------------------------------
Richard Lowenberg, Executive Director
1st-Mile Institute     505-603-5200
Box 8001, Santa Fe, NM 87504,
rl at 1st-mile.org     www.1st-mile.org
---------------------------------------------------------------