Highways, bridges, and dams are the first things that spring to mind when you think about infrastructure. However, Nevada has received $416 million for a different type of infrastructure: improved high-speed internet access.
Nevada’s bid was accepted by the U.S. Commerce Department as part of a $42.5 billion nationwide initiative to enhance internet access in terribly underdeveloped areas. Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) is the name of the initiative.
The state can now proceed with signing contracts with the internet service providers it has chosen for the initiative thanks to today’s permission.
More than 50,000 families in Nevada, mostly in rural regions, should have access to high-speed internet thanks to the investment.
Administrator Alan Davidson of the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration noted, “Despite difficult terrain, Nevada has developed an exceptional plan to connect the unconnected.”
“Nevada’s plan shows how we can economically bring the best possible Internet service to people using a variety of technologies. Today it can put that plan into action and bring high-speed Internet service to everyone in the state,” Davidson stated.
For Nevada’s political officials, such as Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, a Democrat who assisted in obtaining the cash, it is good news.
“This critical funding I’ve helped deliver to connect Nevadans in all corners of our state will be a gamechanger for so many households who still lack access to high-speed internet,” Cortez Masto stated. “Thanks to the support provide by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, more Nevadans, both rural and urban, will be able to get online to stay in touch with loved ones, complete their education, and grow their businesses.”
According to a press release issued by her office, she particularly fought to ensure that Nevada would receive additional funds by exerting pressure on the administration to revise their National internet Map in order to more correctly represent the state’s requirements for internet bandwidth.
Back in the year 2000, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) was in the midst of carrying out that investigation.
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The project has the potential to remove obstacles that have been preventing businesses from establishing themselves in rural areas.
Because of Nevada’s distinctive topography and the fact that the federal government owns the vast majority of the state’s property, the state’s infrastructure is far less developed than that of other states in the country.
An announcement was made in December regarding a loan of $23.5 million to the Lincoln County Telephone System, which is located in rural Lincoln County, which borders the northeastern part of Clark County. Another significant project was mentioned in that announcement.
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It was a grant of $500,000 to build fiber networks in five counties as part of the efforts that the United States Department of Agriculture is doing to support rural areas.
“To make our country more competitive, everyone in America needs access to quality, affordable high-speed Internet service so they can fully participate in our modern economy,” U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo stated. “Today, Nevada can begin building the networks to ensure that people throughout the state can get connected. Congratulations to Nevada on this terrific achievement for its workers, businesses, communities, and families.”
