Massive federal spending on internet construction will be delayed at least another year, Federal Communication Commissioner Brendan Carr recently announced.
“In 2021, the Biden Administration got $42.45 billion from Congress to deploy high-speed Internet to millions of Americans,” Carr tweeted in June. “Years later, it has not connected even 1 person with those funds.”
Michigan is seeking $1.5 billion of those federal funds for internet access. If Michigan’s application is successful, its share of funding will be sent to the state through the federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program and will be administered by the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI).
Michigan’s BEAD application includes provisions that stray far from the stated mission of providing internet access to those who don’t have it. The Michigan High-Speed Internet Office’s priorities skew heavily toward new internet construction initiatives, much of it directed to areas that already have excellent internet access.
“In 2021, the Biden Administration got $42.45 billion from Congress to deploy high-speed Internet to millions of Americans,” Carr tweeted in June. “Years later, it has not connected even 1 person with those funds.”
Michigan is seeking $1.5 billion of those federal funds for internet access. If Michigan’s application is successful, its share of funding will be sent to the state through the federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program and will be administered by the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI).
Michigan’s BEAD application includes provisions that stray far from the stated mission of providing internet access to those who don’t have it. The Michigan High-Speed Internet Office’s priorities skew heavily toward new internet construction initiatives, much of it directed to areas that already have excellent internet access.
