Rural NC Broadband Internet: A Political Tug-of-War

State and federal leaders are making progress extending broadband access in NC, mainly due to Biden's infrastructure funding. However, Republicans ending an affordable broadband program may hinder progress.
NC Broadband

Article Summary –

State and federal leaders are making progress in expanding broadband access in North Carolina, primarily due to funding from the Biden administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the American Rescue Plan Act, which have collectively invested around $3 billion. However, a significant challenge arises from the recent termination of the Affordable Connectivity Program by Republican lawmakers, which had provided essential service discounts to lower-income households, affecting around 900,000 residents in North Carolina and over 23 million households nationally. Governor Roy Cooper continues to prioritize digital equity, aiming to increase high-speed internet coverage across the state, particularly for underserved and marginalized communities.


Progress on NC Broadband Internet Access Threatened by Republican Policy Changes

Claire Stone feels “blessed” to have internet access through HughesNet in rural Rockingham County, but connectivity issues persist.

“The service is throttled, and we lose it with bad weather,” said Stone, a retired state employee. “We can’t watch or participate in Zoom or Teams from home. I often go to a library or business with Wi-Fi.”

Poor Connection Impacts Telehealth and Job Training

Stone’s story is common in North Carolina. A December 2023 FCC survey revealed digital equity gaps in all 100 counties. Lack of high-speed internet prevents access to telehealth, online job training, and more.

Lower-income communities face greater challenges than families like Stone’s. “Access to the internet is essential,” said Stone, who hopes for improved connectivity.

Digital Equity Efforts in NC

The Biden-Harris administration has allocated over $3 billion in digital equity funding to North Carolina since the pandemic. North Carolina received a significant portion of this through the American Rescue Plan Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Gov. Roy Cooper has prioritized internet expansion, leading efforts to allocate $30 million for broadband infrastructure and digital literacy. In 2018, Cooper launched the GREAT grant program to bring broadband to underserved communities.

Republican Pushback on Affordable Internet

The NC Office of Digital Equity and Literacy has advanced projects rapidly. A tracking tool shows over 136,000 households and 4,100 businesses have benefited from connectivity grants as of May 2024.

However, the Affordable Connectivity Program, which helped low-income families save on internet plans, expired after Republicans blocked additional funding. This impacted 900,000 North Carolinians and over 23 million households nationwide.

FCC commissioner Anna Gomez warned, “The end of the ACP will undo significant progress.” Residents like Stone hope future leaders will prioritize high-speed internet access for all. “People with internet access can learn, work, and pay taxes,” said Stone, hoping for bipartisan support for digital equity.



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