PA Broadband Authority Releases Statewide Broadband Plan, Surveys Municipalities

The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority has released its Statewide Broadband Plan, which is intended to address the current and long-term broadband needs of Pennsylvanians. 

“Equal access to the internet, regardless of location or income, must be provided if Pennsylvania is to remain competitive,” said Executive Director of the Authority Brandon Carson. “Broadband access affects every area of our lives – from work to education to health and safety. Closing the digital divide helps enhance our communities and fosters economic growth and innovation for all Pennsylvanians.” 

The authority’s plan to expand broadband across the commonwealth focuses on the challenges and opportunities, including improving broadband service infrastructure and availability. With the current state of broadband in Pennsylvania outlined —including up to 800,000 unserved Pennsylvanians —the plan outlines the steps it will take to achieve universal broadband access and ensure Pennsylvania receives more than $200 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds. Click here to read the plan. 

As part of its efforts, the authority is surveying township officials to learn what plans and efforts have been made at a local level to bring broadband access to unserved and underserved areas of the commonwealth. Watch for this email survey in your inbox, which is also available here. Surveys are due December 30.