The Delaware Department of Technology and Information’s (DTI) Broadband Office will host public meetings in early March to offer information about broadband initiatives.
Funding for both infrastructure and digital equity will be made available to Delaware through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Delaware is expected to receive approximately $100 million under the program.
Delaware has among the highest broadband speeds in the nation thanks in part to some competition between Comcast and Verizon. However, the state has “Internet deserts” that became more apparent during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Plans call for the state to pay for the extension of existing broadband systems in areas where it is not profitable for the private ompany to add cable. Such extensions would include the bulk of households in the state.
The public is encouraged to attend one of the following sessions in their area:
- Wednesday, March 1 at 6:30 pm at the Dover Public Library, 35 Loockerman Plaza.
- Thursday, March 2 at 6:30 pm at the Georgetown Public Library, 123 West Pine Street.
- Monday, March 6 at 6:30 pm at the Appoquinimink Community Library, 204 E. Main Street in Middletown
Attendees will be asked to participate in a brief survey about their broadband needs and experiences.
More information on the Delaware Broadband Strategy is available here.
Information on the NTIA BEAD program can be found here.
