Staff Reports | Science & Technology
Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema are reporting the National Telecommunications and Information Administration has approved Arizona’s Internet for All proposal, clearing the way for Arizona to receive nearly $1 billion investment to deploy high-speed broadband in rural parts of the state.
Authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program will provide $988,112,231.37 for Arizona broadband—providing investments to expand high-speed Internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment, and adoption programs.
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is improving lives every day, and today’s announcement will help give every Arizonan, regardless of where they live, access to reliable, high-speed internet,” Sen. Kelly said in a prepared statement. “Expanding broadband access is crucial for economic development, education, and healthcare, especially in rural and underserved communities. I am proud to have worked alongside my colleagues to secure these funds and will continue working to bridge the digital divide.”
Sen. Sinema, who served as lead negotiator on the Internet for All Proposal, says high-speed internet is necessity of the 21st century no matter where you call home in the Grand Canyon State.
“Today’s funds authorized by our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will make internet more accessible and affordable for Arizonans in all corners of our state,” Sen. Sinema said. “I’m ensuring our investments from our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continue delivering for Arizona.”
Sens. Kelly and Sinema’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law makes historic and sweeping investments in repairing and upgrading America’s critical infrastructure, including $65 billion to deploy high-speed broadband, expand broadband internet access, and help families afford broadband service.
Specifically, the law invests over $14 billion to make the internet more affordable and requires internet providers to offer a low-cost option to participate in federal broadband deployment funding. Following passage of the infrastructure law, the Federal Communications Commission established the Affordable Connectivity Program using the funding Sens. Kelly and Sinema secured to help Arizonans access affordable internet.
The program provides eligible families $30 a month toward their internet bills and $75 a month toward internet service in tribal areas.
