The PBDA is engaged in preparing two statewide plans: a 5-Year Action Plan for universal broadband service and a Digital Equity Plan. Both plans are funded through planning grants made available by the National Telecommunications and Infrastructure Administration (NTIA) and are being developed in collaboration to establish a comprehensive, successful, and sustainable path to connect all Pennsylvanians to digital opportunities.
Announcement: Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority Approves
Details on NTIA’s allocation to each state is available here. The allocation for Pennsylvania is $1,161,778,272.41
Nice write-up on PASDEC, published August 30, 2023
As part of their effort to ensure equitable connectivity for all Pennsylvanians, the PBDA has launched a public survey to hear from residents across Pennsylvania. Your participation is valued and necessary to help guide where upcoming funding should be focused to meet your needs, and the needs of your community. We also ask that you share this out with your networks for response.
The survey is open and will only take 10-15 minutes to complete.
The PBDA released their Stakeholder Engagement Plan, held a public comment period from February 27—March 10, 2023, and held public meetings in March.
News articles on digital equity in Pennsylvania:
- Washington County initiative with public/private partnership; looking for comments on this draft case study, please contact Stephen Herzenberg (August 22, 2023)
- ‘Quietly left behind’: Escaping a go-nowhere job in rural Washington County starts with speedy internet (June 24, 2023)
- Critics say Pennsylvania broadband appeals fall short (June 13, 2023)
- FCC Broadband Map Update Adds 1 Million Locations (May 30, 2023)
- This synopsis of the challenges that rural counties and municipalities are facing ran in the Post-Gazette (May 19, 2023)
- FCC broadband map updated (May 30, 2023)
- Increased Wellness and Economic Return of Universal Broadband Infrastructure (April 25, 2023)
- Shapiro Administration Plans to Improve Broadband Infrastructure through Apprenticeship Grant Funding (17 April 2023)
- PA, among others, receives NTIA Planning Grant (8 Dec 2022)
- Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Announce Pittsburgh Digital Equity Coalition to expand internet access (27 Sept 2022)
- Computer Reach of Pittsburgh has been selected as one of the the Rural and Tribal sub-grantees for the National Digital Navigator Corps (7 Sept 2022)
- City of Philadelphia has released a Request for Ideas (RFI) about how the city can make its public assets available