(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes today announced that the U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration has approved Connecticut’s proposal for the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, awarding $144 million to the state that will be used to expand high-speed internet access statewide.
Established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law), the BEAD program is providing $42.45 billion to states and territories for the expansion of high-speed internet access across the country by funding broadband planning, deployment, mapping, equity, and adoption projects and activities.
Connecticut was one of 18 states and territories that received approval of its BEAD proposal this week.
“Connecticut is proud to be among the first states and territories that received approval of its proposal for the BEAD program,” Governor Lamont said. “Access to fast, affordable, reliable high-speed internet is a requirement of life today, whether it be getting medical care, paying bills, or finding work and educational opportunities. Improving residents’ access to broadband has been a priority of mine since we enacted Connecticut’s first broadband bill in 2021, and this authorization marks another significant step toward that goal.”
“Federal approval of Connecticut’s BEAD program proposal is another big step forward in the effort to deliver fast, affordable, and reliable internet to all Connecticut residents and businesses,” Commissioner Dykes said. “With this approval, we are ready to expand critical infrastructure across the state that will empower our workforce, drive economic development, support healthcare, and advance education. We look forward to seeing every corner of the state benefit from this program as Connecticut closes the gap on internet access.”
To read Connecticut’s final proposal for the BEAD program, visit portal.ct.gov/deep/energy/broadband-deployment/bead-program.