Opinion: Why is a Large Percent of Alabama is Still Unserved By High Speed Internet?

Wifi routerPhoto byCompare FibreonUnsplash

I remember when the government began talking about expanding broadband coverage to rural areas. I was vaguely excited to think that in the near future internet would be available in the remote area I live in Alabama. That back during COVID, in 2020.

Since then, Alabama has spent about $90,000,000 from the Alabama Broadband Accessiblility Fund, about $82,000,000 from the Alabama Statewide Middle-Mile Network Grant Program, and about $33,000,000 from the FCC Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. Unfortunately, four years and a few hundred million dollars later, I am no closer to being able to receive high spend internet.

The fund mentioned above are only a small fraction of the total amount that has been allocated to various programs. USDA Reconnect provided $ 178,289,060 for the provision of broadband service in eligible rural areas, the U.S. Treasury gave $191,887,857 for last-mile broadband expansion, and the National Digital Inclusion Alliance's BEAD will give $1,401,221,901 to expand last-mile broadband to unserved Alabama.

If you stop and think about the amount of money mentioned above, it really makes zero sense that I still cannot receive high speed internet where I live. Just think, with that kind of money available Alabama could literally provide the state's entire population with the equipment and first month of Starlink.

I don't know about ya'll, but I would prefer Starlink to whatever ISP the area I live in is provided. If over four years and more than a billion dollars can't get the entirety of Alabama connected to high speed internet, then Alabama is obviously not using the money wisely. Though I suppose that's just par for the course.

Does your internet suck too? Are you even offered a high speed option? Let me know in the comments. If you don't already have the NewsBreak App, you can download it here!

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