You’re reading the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society’s Weekly Digest, a recap of the biggest (or most overlooked) broadband stories of the week. The digest is delivered via e-mail each Friday.

Round-Up for the Week of September 5-9, 2022

Broadband is the future of New Hampshire, we reported in June as the state was one of the first to win approval from the U.S. Treasury for plans to use Capital Projects Fund support to extend the reach of broadband networks. On September 8, we learned that New Hampshire is once again leading the way—now it is the first state to gain approval for a second wave of Capital Projects Fund support. New Hampshire's plans are designed to connect 80% of locations in the state still lacking high-speed internet access.

In June we learned of New Hampshire's Broadband Contract Program, which offers broadband service providers a financial incentive to bring service to unserved and underserved addresses in the state—areas/addresses where it may be financially detrimental for providers to attempt to expand. At the time, New Hampshire hoped that the Broadband Contract Program could connect half of the state's unserved locations with $50 million (40%) of the state's Capital Projects Fund allotment. 

This week Treasury approved New Hampshire’s second plan to invest in broadband infrastructure to provide high-speed internet to locations that lack access to adequate service. In total, New Hampshire is using $122 million—100% of its Capital Projects Fund funding—for broadband infrastructure to reach an estimated 24,000 locations, or 80% of locations still lacking high-speed internet access in the state. In total, New Hampshire's plans for Capital Projects Fund support will help connect more than 24,000 homes and businesses to affordable, high-speed internet.

New Hampshire is launching a second program, the Broadband Matching Grant Initiative, a competitive grant program designed to fund broadband infrastructure projects to bring high-speed internet to areas currently lacking service of 100/20 Mbps. The Broadband Matching Grant Initiative will provide a state match to either a broadband internet access service provider or a New Hampshire municipality to build internet infrastructure in areas of the state that, because of their topography, location, or cost, have not been able to access broadband internet. The program's match is designed to alleviate the fiscal impact of community-driven broadband investment for both the broadband providers and municipalities, as well as reduce the reliance on bonding.

New Hampshire’s programs are designed to provide internet service with speeds of 100/100 Mbps symmetrical to households and businesses upon project completion. Upon completion, the operator(s) of these networks will participate in the Federal Communications Commission’s new Affordable Connectivity Program which helps ensure that low-income households can afford the high-speed internet they need for work, school, healthcare, and more by providing a discount of up to $30 per month. The operator(s) must include at least one low-cost option offered at speeds that are sufficient for a household with multiple users to simultaneously telework and engage in remote learning.

As with the Broadband Contract Program, the Broadband Matching Grant Initiative will be overseen by the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs. Funding networks must be deployed by December 31, 2026.

This past summer, the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs issued a request for proposal seeking contractors to conduct a statewide broadband build to connect as many unserved and underserved addresses of residents and businesses as possible. To date, the state has received seven proposals. The winning bidder will be awarded a portion of the allocated Capital Projects Fund funds, not to exceed $50 million. The ongoing operation and maintenance of the project will be the sole responsibility of the awarded applicant.

The proposals will be evaluated on a 100-point scale: a maximum of 35 points for overall strategy and approach, 25 for experience and qualifications, 20 for offered speeds, and 15 for cost per unserved location.

The New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs expects to notify the winning bidder by September 23, 2022. 

Sep 12—Supporting Families During Back to School: The Child Tax Credit & Affordable Connectivity Program (White House)

Sep 13—Workshop On Environmental Compliance And Historic Preservation Review Procedures (FCC)

Sep 13—Creating Connections Conference (Network:On)

Sep 14—Internet for All Webinar Series – Review Top FAQs of the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program Application (NTIA)

Sep 14—Letter of Intent Learnings & Best Practices - Session 1 (Colorado Broadband Office)

Sep 15—Technological Advisory Council Meeting (FCC)

Sep 15—Letters of Intent Learnings & Best Practices - Session 2 (Colorado Broadband Office)

Sep 19––Spectrum Policy Symposium (NTIA)

Sep 20—Broadband Solutions and Recent Insights: What We’ve Learned This Year (LightBox)

Sep 22—40th Annual Parker Lecture & Awards Ceremony (United Church of Christ Media Justice Ministry)

Sep 24—Capital Projects Fund Grant Plan Deadline (Department of Treasury)

Sep 24—ACP Sign Up Day (Black Churches 4 Digital Equity)

Sep 25-28—The Right Connection (CENIC)

Sep 26—Smart Cities Connect Conference & Expo (US Ignite)

Sep 28—Local Coordination in NOFOs (NTIA)

Sep 29—September 2022 Open Federal Communications Commission Meeting

Sep 30—Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program Applications Due

The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all people in the U.S. have access to competitive, High-Performance Broadband regardless of where they live or who they are. We believe communication policy - rooted in the values of access, equity, and diversity - has the power to deliver new opportunities and strengthen communities.

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