Web for All Initiative – ABC23

A giant announcement from the Wolf administration on Thursday. The Governor introduced that $6.6 million in federal funding will circulation to the Commonwealth. That is a part of President Biden’s Web for All initiative. Governor Wolf says the cash can be used to make sure Pennsylvanians have equal entry to broadband.

Efforts to increase Web entry and broadband in rural areas are an ongoing downside. However a brand new FCC map has commissioners in a few of our affected counties. We spoke with among the points and what you are able to do to assist them. Vital steps have been taken to increase rural broadband in recent times, however the subsequent step might be essential.

Heart County Commissioner Mike Pipe mentioned, “The federal authorities can be releasing billions of {dollars} to enhance broadband throughout the nation. So how cash can be allotted and the way tasks can be permitted will actually undergo these playing cards.

The net map exhibits the FCC’s interpretation of which addresses can and can’t entry high-speed broadband, however some county commissioners say the map has an issue. Huntingdon County Commissioner Jeff Thomas mentioned, “That is my touch upon the FCC maps. They don’t seem to be precise.

Jeff Thomas is Huntingdon County Commissioner and President of Alleghenies Broadband Included. Thomas saying, “They could solely have one or two homes alongside a significant serviced freeway. However, as a result of one or two households are served in a census block, they are saying the entire census block is served, and that is not true. Three quarters of this census block is probably not serviced. There’s a nice want in rural Pennsylvania. They notably observed this want in the course of the pandemic. Thomas provides, “Youngsters in rural Huntingdon County could not do their homework as a result of they did not have the web.

For the reason that state makes use of the identical card because the FCC to allocate its broadband funds, inaccurate playing cards can result in a number of issues, which may hinder rural broadband growth. Huntingdon County Commissioner Scott Partitions added: ‘The maps do not replicate the cash we have already spent, and we do not need to pay to get these areas again, however we additionally need to be sure the funds are used. to cowl these which might be wanted. .”

Apart from the accuracy of the map – or lack thereof, these commissioners checklist different grievances. Clearfield County Commissioner Dave Glass mentioned, “Initially, the map shouldn’t be intuitive. Whenever you take a look at it, it is not instantly apparent the best way to proceed. Then there’s the deadline for submitting corrections to the FCC. Glass including, “They gave the general public a really brief window till January 13 to file challenges.” Whereas the FCC launched the map in November, Commissioners Glass and Sobel inform us they solely realized about it final week.

Heart County Commissioner Mike Pipe mentioned, “Broadband nonetheless has a methods to go.”
Commissioner Pipe talks in regards to the challenges dealing with rural communities and households. Pipe including, “We’ve many components of Pennsylvania that aren’t linked and nonetheless depend on the plug, you already know, households should take their youngsters to a quick meals car parking zone to allow them to connect with Wi- Fi. Broadband must be as primary as electrical energy, water, sewer.

The FCC didn’t return our rapid request for remark. To discover ways to view the map and submit a correction, click on right here.