Access to reliable, high-speed internet isn’t just a convenience in today’s interconnected world – it’s a necessity, particularly in states like Idaho where vast stretches of rural landscape can face isolation.
Internet connectivity is fundamental to opportunities of all varieties, whether economic, educational, health, or social. These opportunities, however, remain out of reach for far too many Idahoans. Despite the significant progress that we have made as a state thanks to the cooperation between our public and private leaders, hundreds of thousands of Idahoans still lack the internet access they need to build the futures they deserve for themselves and their families.
Fortunately, we are on the precipice of closing these final rural broadband gaps.
More than $583 million in federal funds are slated to come to Idaho this year through the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. This represents a phenomenal opportunity to move closer to the goal of connecting every home, school, ranch, and small business across our state to the online world.
This significant sum of federal grants, however, does not automatically equate to connectivity success. That will depend on the choices our state leaders and the Idaho Office of Broadband make with these investments.
It will depend on whether our state leaders are laser-focused on prioritizing funds to unserved areas with the greatest needs, rather than overbuilding or upgrading networks in communities that already have internet access.
It will depend on how our state leaders address the various regulatory barriers that stand in the way of deploying broadband infrastructure to our unserved communities. Internet service providers (ISPs) already face enormous barriers on the ground, whether geographic or terrain-related, regulatory, or otherwise. They will need cooperation from our state leaders to break down barriers to deployment, rather than standing up more.
It will depend on whether our state leaders leverage the know-how and expertise of internet providers that have already proven their deep-rooted commitments to connecting all Idahoans. Earlier this year, the Idaho Broadband Advisory Board (IBAB) allocated $120 million to a mixture of 18 different providers, including leading cable providers in the state.
However, of these 18 projects, seven were awarded to counties with little to no experience in the broadband space. Government-owned networks (GONs) have a poor history of performance, which raises concerns about the potential for waste and project failures. By partnering with industry leaders that have the expertise of not only building, but operating, maintaining, and upgrading these broadband networks, Idaho will ensure the long-term success of community connectivity. To avoid waste and project failures, Idaho should focus on working with experienced providers with a proven track record of success in the broadband space.
Access to the Internet is so much more than just making sure our friends and families can browse their favorite websites or purchase new items online – it’s the engine that spurs 21st century economic growth; it empowers our state’s small businesses, farms, and ranches; it unlocks educational opportunities for students regardless of where they live.
Idaho cannot waste this once-in-a-generation opportunity.