Here’s how states are splitting the NTIA’s $811 million in digital equity funding

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration on Friday announced it will allocate $811 million to states, territories and tribal nations for digital equity initiatives.

The funding comes from the Digital Equity Act in the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and President Joe Biden’s “Internet for All” initiative. This is the first installment of the $1.44 billion Digital Equity Act’s State Capacity Program, which allows states to apply for funds to begin implementing digital equity plans.

“Digital equity and inclusion ensures that everyone, regardless of their background and location, has fair and equal access to affordable, reliable high speed internet service and the digital skills, tools and resources that are needed to benefit from a high speed internet connection,” Deputy Commerce Secretary Don Graves said during a press call Thursday.

All 50 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico have submitted digital equity plans, Graves said. The NTIA is continuing to accept plans on a rolling basis.

Alan Davidson, assistant secretary of commerce for communications and information, said he was amazed that millions of people still do not have internet access, particularly after two decades of discussion about the digital divide. He said this funding is the “largest single investment in digital equity in our nation’s history,” and dubbed it the “Mega Millions of digital equity efforts.”

“The conversation around the digital divide has often focused quite a bit on ensuring access,” Davidson said. “But it’s not enough to ensure that everyone in America has a connection running past their home or business, that connection only gets you so far. If you don’t have a connected device like a laptop or tablet without the know-how to navigate the online space. … Without those things, people can’t realize the full benefits of the internet.” 

Jon Donenberg, deputy director of the White House’s National Economic Council, added that this program builds on the “historic progress” made by the Biden administration’s efforts with the Affordable Connectivity Program. Funding for the popular internet subsidy program is expected to expire in April, but members of Congress introduced a bipartisan bill that would add a $7 billion extension to the ACP.

Tentative digital equity allocations: