Increasing Access to Broadband

ARRA will provide $7.2 billion to upgrade the country's broadband infrastructure through the Department of Agriculture (USDA), the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

NTIA will receive $4.7 billion, in partnership with the FCC, to establish a broadband service development and expansion program. The Broadband Technology Opportunities Program will support broadband improvements by awarding competitive grants to accelerate deployment and improve service at strategic institutions that are likely to create jobs or produce other public benefits. Of this funding, $350 million will support the State Broadband Data and Development Grant program, which will help develop and maintain a national broadband inventory map. 

Another $200 million of the NTIA funding will be used for competitive grants to expand the capacity of public computing centers and $250 million will fund competitive grants for innovative programs to encourage sustainable broadband adoption.

The Department of Agriculture is slated to receive $2.5 billion for its distance learning, telemedicine and broadband program. USDA Rural Development provides several varieties of loans, including a Broadband Access Loan to cover the costs of construction, improvement and acquisition of facilities. Other loans within this program extend electronic resources to rural schools, improve rural health care and provide financial assistance to broadband providers who extend service to unserved communities.