South Dakota will receive over $207 million to deploy high-speed internet service across the state, as part of President Biden’s “Internet for All” initiative.
The initiative aims to ensure that reliable and affordable high-speed internet is accessible to all Americans, regardless of where they live. The funding will be distributed through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, which is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
In South Dakota, the funding will be used to expand broadband access in rural areas and underserved communities. It will also be used to improve the quality of existing broadband networks.
The “Internet for All” initiative is a significant step towards ensuring that everyone in the United States has access to the essential tools and resources that broadband provides. With this funding, South Dakota will be able to close the digital divide and connect its residents to the 21st century economy.
Here are some additional details about the funding:
- The funding will be distributed over the next five years.
- The state will work with local governments and broadband providers to develop a plan for how to use the funding.
- The plan will be required to meet certain criteria, such as ensuring that the funding is used to expand broadband access to low-income households and underserved communities.