US Treasury Helps Accelerate Broadband Deployment in Kansas

People living in rural Kansas have been concerned about their lack of access to reliable broadband for over 20 years. As part of a second wave of Capital Projects Fund awards, Kansas will receive $83.5 million from the US Department of the Treasury to increase access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet. According to BroadbandNow, 15 percent of households in Kansas have no access to the internet. Kansas ranks 35th among states in internet coverage, speed and availability. On July 14, Treasury approved Kansas’ plan for $83.5 million (representing 58% of the state's available Capital Projects Fund funding). With these funds, Kansas estimates it will connect 21,300 homes and businesses by building high-speed internet service in areas where there is a demonstrated need. The broadband networks deployed with this funding will be designed to provide internet service with speeds of 100/100 Mbps symmetrical to households and businesses upon project completion. Each of the broadband providers funded by the Kansas Office of Broadband Development’s use of the Capital Projects Fund will participate in the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program—a $30 per month subsidy for low-income families. The Capital Projects Fund support will accelerate broadband deployment in Kansas, but the state estimates that this investment will only help connect 8 percent of the locations in the state still lacking broadband service. Kansas still has a long way to go to achieve universal broadband.

[Kevin Taglang is executive editor at the Benton Insitute for Broadband & Society.]


U.S. Treasury Helps Accelerate Broadband Deployment in Kansas