NEWPORT, RI – In an effort to upgrade the Ocean State’s digital infrastructure and increase access to high-speed internet for all Rhode Islanders, U.S. Senator Jack Reed voted to pass the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (P.L. 117-58) in 2021—which delivered an historic $65 billion to upgrade the nation’s high-speed broadband infrastructure, including $42.5 billion in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding.
Today, Reed welcomed the Biden Administration’s announcement that, as a result of this law, Rhode Island will receive over $108.7 million in federal BEAD funding to expand the reach of high-speed internet funding across the state where it is not currently available.
“This is good news for the state that will help improve connectivity for thousands of Rhode Islanders in underserved communities that currently lack reliable high-speed Internet service,” said Senator Reed, who noted that between the nearly $109 million in BEAD funding announced today, along with federal investments from the Affordable Connectivity Program; Capital Projects Fund; and Community Development Block Grant funding under the American Rescue Plan Act, Rhode Island has received over $200 million in federal investments since 2020 to enhance the state’s high-speed Internet network and improve broadband access.
BEAD funding is administered by the U.S. Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
Rhode Island will receive $108.7 million in BEAD funding, which the state may distribute to non-profits, public-private partnerships, private companies, utilities and local governments to ensure every Rhode Islander has access to reliable high-speed internet.
Senator Reed, a leading member of the Appropriations Committee, plans to meet with Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and state leaders in Rhode Island later this week to discuss enhancing Rhode Island’s digital infrastructure.
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