Senator Murray: “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a game changer for so many people in our state. It’s going to help people get online, close the digital divide, and lower internet costs across our state.”
ICYMI: Senator Murray Passes Digital Equity Act, Helps Secure $65 Billion in Broadband Investments – HERE
***WATCH SENATOR MURRAY’S VIDEO HERE***
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) highlighted how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help to expand broadband coverage, lower internet costs, and provide people with the tools and skills needed to get online in Washington state.
“For too many people in our state, access to high speed internet has been out of reach—especially in rural and low-income communities. That’s why I pushed to make sure the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will not only deploy broadband in every community, but also require providers offer affordable plans,” said Senator Murray. “The infrastructure law also includes my Digital Equity Act—which funds grants to states and local communities to make sure everyone has the tools and skills they need to make the most of an internet connection once they have one.”
Notably, the legislation also includes Senator Murray’s Digital Equity Act which will provide $2.75 billion in grants to states and local communities to help close the digital divide and make sure everyone has the tools they need to get online and get connected. Specifically, the Digital Equity Act would be a historic investment in digital equity for local communities– focusing on key needs outside of just broadband deployment. The funding from the Digital Equity Act grants could be used for anything from laptops and devices for students to digital literacy classes for seniors at a local library.
Below are the key broadband provisions in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
- Internet Access: Washington state will receive a minimum allocation of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage across the state, including providing access to the at least 241,000 people in the state who currently lack it.
- Digital Equity Act: Includes Senator Murray’s Digital Equity Act, which would help close the digital divide impacting communities across the nation by creating $2.75 billion in new federal investments targeted toward a diverse array of projects at the state and local level that promote digital equity.
- Reduced Costs: The bill will help lower prices for internet service by requiring funding recipients to offer a low-cost affordable plan, by requiring providers to display a “Broadband Nutrition Label” that will help families comparison shop for a better deal, and by boosting competition in areas where existing providers aren’t providing adequate service. Creates a new, permanent program to help more low-income households access the internet. 1,409,000 or 19% of people in Washington State will be eligible for the Affordability Connectivity Benefit, which will help low-income families afford internet access.
- See more details HERE.