CARES Act funds boost broadband expansion
State officials are ramping up efforts to expand broadband in unserved and underserved areas as more and more students prepare for remote learning as the school year begins. Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funding totaling $20 million will be used to build out additional infrastructure across Delaware and help families with financial need to acquire equipment and services.
In addition, 15 towers in the current phase of the Rural Wireless Broadband Initiative in Kent and Sussex counties will be completed about four months ahead of schedule. Originally slated to be completed by the end of 2020, the project received a boost of $566,000 from Delaware Department of Education’s CARES Act funds to reach more students in areas that need high-speed broadband for remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Combined with the initial $2 million investment in state funding, the Rural Wireless Broadband Initiative is expected to serve more than 1,500 customers with wireless internet in rural areas, with capacity to expand.
State officials have already installed fiber optic cable from Wilmington to Georgetown and from Seaford to Lewes.
“Over the last two years, Delaware has worked to eliminate internet deserts and make high-speed internet a reality for all Delawareans,” said Gov. John Carney. “Now more than ever, we know how essential reliable internet is for daily life. These funds will help us build additional broadband infrastructure, identify areas where we need to improve internet speeds, and eliminate barriers so that Delaware families can have quality internet – whether it’s for remote learning, working or connecting with family.”
The state will also use CARES Act funds to cover equipment installation and broadband service for students from low-income households across the state for remote or hybrid-learning purposes. More information on this program will be announced in the coming weeks.
“For our students who are starting the school year learning remotely, having access to the internet is critical to their academic growth,” said Delaware Secretary of Education Susan Bunting. “We also have educators who are teaching from home right now and need reliable service. Connectivity is an immediate need with a solution that will serve them beyond the pandemic.”
To learn more about Delaware’s broadband efforts, go to broadband.delaware.gov.
In Sussex, towers have been constructed in Seaford, Laurel, Bridgeville, Dagsboro, Bethany Beach and Lincoln.
Public-private plan in Sussex
Large gaps in coverage have been identified in sections of western and central Sussex County.
Sussex County officials have also invested substantial funding in a public-private partnership to make space available on county or state communications towers to wireless providers entering the market to broaden wireless internet in underserved areas. The county is covering a portion of the rent to use the towers for up to two years.
Sussex County has also invested in a fiber-optic ring to increase broadband speed around Georgetown that is also available to other residents and businesses. Broad Valley Micro Fiber Networks built the system.
BridgeMAXX, the county's partner, now offers wireless internet packages to areas in and around Gumboro, Georgetown, Long Neck, Seaford, Greenwood and Angola. Go to bridgemaxx.com or sussexcountyde.gov/broadband for more information.
Next week: Schools prepare for remote learning.
