Tag: Louisiana Internet Access

The Digital Horizon: Louisiana’s Visionary Approach to Broadband Access

In the race to bring high-speed broadband access to underserved and remote areas, Louisiana emerges as a front-runner, leading the pack in fulfilling bureaucratic requirements, according to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, according to this article from The Advocate. Among all states, Louisiana has successfully completed seven out of eight necessary steps, positioning itself at the forefront of the initiative to provide fast internet services to approximately 200,000 locations, primarily in rural areas, currently devoid of this essential connectivity.

ConnectLA, a government-organized agency dedicated to coordinating broadband expansion efforts in Louisiana, has been a key player in this endeavor. Veneeth Iyengar, the executive director of ConnectLA, expressed optimism about resolving the connectivity challenge once and for all. He envisions a future where nearly every household and business in the state will be seamlessly connected by 2028.

Reflecting on the magnitude of the achievement, Iyengar elucidated, “By complete, I mean that you can call aninternet provider, say ‘I need my broadband installed in 10 days,’ and get it.” This is a stark contrast to the current scenario in many unserved and underserved areas where residents either have no access to internet services or are compelled to pay exorbitant amounts, often exceeding $15,000, for installation in their locations. Drawing a historical parallel, the time it took for telephone companies to ensure universal phone service in the state serves as a poignant reminder of the gradual evolution of connectivity. Not until 2005, prompted by the Louisiana Public Service Commission, did telephone companies extend cell phone service to remote areas where the installation of traditional lines was economically unfeasible.

The current broadband expansion initiative, spearheaded by President Joe Biden, is likened to the transformative program that brought electricity to rural areas in the 1930s. Governor John Bel Edwards underscores Louisiana’s aggressive pursuit of federal funding, aiming to bridge the digital divide before the next decade commences. Leveraging funds from various sources, including the American Rescue Plan, Louisiana has already completed broadband line installations in Lafourche and St. Landry parishes, with ongoing construction in Iberia, Calcasieu, East Carroll, and West Carroll parishes.

Eyeing the future, Iyengar anticipates the deployment of the substantial $1.35 billion earmarked for broadband expansion. The state is poised to receive approximately $1.9 billion in federal funds, encompassing grants from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Federal Communications Commission, U.S. Treasury, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

As the second anniversary of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act approaches, the Biden administration uses the occasion to highlight the myriad projects funded by the $1.2 trillion legislation. Over 40,000 projects, ranging from fortifying the electric grid to upgrading infrastructure like roads, bridges, and ports, are in development.

Embedded in this comprehensive legislative package is the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, allocating $42.5 billion. Louisiana secures $1.35 billion from BEAD, positioning itself ahead of some states in this critical endeavor. The program prioritizes “unserved” areas, lacking speeds of 25 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 3 Mbps upload, followed by “underserved” areas with speeds below 100 Mbps. The overarching goal is to ensure affordable, reliable, high-speed internet access for all Americans by 2030.

Beyond infrastructure development, the program allocates $30 monthly subsidies to assist low-income households with internet plans. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration has recently approved Louisiana’s initial proposal, determining the eligibility of locations for broadband expansion. The formal challenge process, initiated on October 6 and set to conclude by January 4, ensures a rigorous evaluation of the expansion plan.

Looking ahead, Iyengar envisions the state making requests for bids in March or April, with construction commencing after federal approval of chosen contractors. The relentless pursuit of universal broadband access in Louisianareflects a commitment to inclusivity and bridging the digital gap, aligning with the broader national vision outlined in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

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Louisiana Legislation Seeks to Invest $180M for Rural Access to Broadband Internet

Over the next three years, the state of Louisiana will award $180 million in grants to various telecommunication firms so that broadband internet infrastructure can be constructed in the state’s more underserved communities, as per an article fromThe Advocate.

The average American’s reliance on broadband services became very apparent during the state’s stay-at-home orders due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Many families were becoming more and more aware of the need for fast, reliable internet speeds so that families could stream movies, parents could work remotely, and students could learn from home.

The extended period of isolation left many examining their internet usage, but the time also shined a light on those rural Louisiana communities that have been “underserved” by internet service providers. Such was the case for the citizens of Ville Platte, Louisiana.  During the pandemic citizens of the Evangeline Parish community often flocked to the parking lots of City Hall or McDonald’s in order to use their hotspot internet services.

Louisiana’s more rural cities often see the disparity in reliable internet services since residents are more widely dispersed across the area and internet providers often feel disincentivized to spend the funds necessary to install fiber cables in these areas. According to a study conducted last year by HighSpeedInternet.com, the average internet speed for a resident of Ville Platte registers at just above 8 Mbps. That slow measurement places the city in the bottom five cities nationwide for internet connectivity.

However, Louisiana Rep. Daryl Deshotel plans to change that in the next three years with his proposed piece of legislation that is expected to be approved by Governor John Bel Edwards in the coming weeks. The proposed projectwill reportedly use funds from the American Rescue Plan to bring the infrastructure for high-speed internet to Louisiana’s more rural areas. It will be required that at least 20% of funds will be provided by the regional telecommunication firms who will also provide high-speed internet at affordable prices to residents for at least five years.  It is also expected that the trillion-dollar federal infrastructure plan currently passing through Washington will also serve to distribute additional grants in the future.

The grant program will require internet service providers to offer at least 25 Mbps, which is a speed set by the federal government as a minimum broadband benchmark. With this measurement of internet speed, a family of four would be able to browse the internet and stream movies simultaneously.

Veneeth Iyengar will fund the new grant program as the Executive Director for Governor Edwards’ Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity, and he estimates that it would take a total $1.1 billion investment to bring high-speed internet to every household in Louisiana. The currently proposed $180 million will connect up to 145,000 households and according to Iyenthe, the grant program will “run at an accelerated pace” and distribute up to $90 million in grants by January 2022.

It’s expected that this ambitious, but necessary effort will be aided by an additional $372 million that was awarded to service providers last year by the federal government in an aim to extend broadband coverage to 175,000 households and businesses over the next decade.

The consulting firm McKinsey & Co. estimated recently that 1.6 Louisiana citizens covering 643,000 households are without access to high-speed internet, and nearly half of the state’s total households lack access to internet service that is affordable. As of June 2021, nearly 88,000 residents still benefited from the emergency assistance funds offered by the FCC to cover internet costs during the pandemic.

While it can’t be overstated how vital the need for speedy, dependable internet service is these days, it’s a comfort to know that meaningful strides are being taken to lessen the gaps in broadband service.

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