Peter Voderberg

The Alliance Meeting agenda covered several key areas, including presentations from Ohio 811 and the Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN), which detailed OPLIN's role concerning digital equity and its partnership potential within the Digital Equity Act State Capacity Grants. Discussions also focused on Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) updates, which involved preliminary results showing 83,992 provisionally awarded addresses and a total funding request of $310 million. Furthermore, updates were provided on the Route 30 Middle Mile Infrastructure Project, including RFP submission deadlines, and the Line Extension Grant Program, which aims to offset construction costs for line extensions. Finally, an update on the Broadband Expansion Program Authority Meeting highlighted results from the BroadbandOhio Pole Replacement Program, showing impact across 51 counties.

This report outlines BroadbandOhio's efforts to eliminate the Digital Divide, ensuring all Ohioans have access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet. Key strategies include grant programs like ORBEG and BEAD, infrastructure development through partnerships and programs such as Pole Replacement and Line Extension, and special projects like Connecting Cleveland. The report also details local initiatives, including the Broadband Community Accelerator Program and Digital Opportunity efforts, highlighting significant progress in reducing unserved households and achieving universal coverage across the state.

This strategic plan, administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, outlines the 'Internet for All' initiative to ensure all Americans have access to high-quality, affordable, high-speed Internet. The plan focuses on three main pillars: expanding access through infrastructure development, enhancing affordability of services, and promoting equitable adoption and digital inclusion. It leverages significant funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law through programs such as Broadband Equity, Access & Deployment (BEAD), the Digital Equity Act, Tribal Connectivity, and Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure, with the overarching goal of connecting all communities and improving lives across the nation.

The strategic plan outlines the 2023 Ohio Broadband Strategy, aiming to bring reliable, affordable, high-speed internet access to every Ohioan and build a best-in-class broadband network. The strategy is guided by four strategic priorities: promoting world-class broadband networks, enabling participation in the modern economy, empowering Ohioans through training, device access, and digital skills, and ensuring reliable, affordable, high-speed internet in homes and communities. Key focus areas include investing in last-mile and middle-mile infrastructure, removing deployment barriers, adapting to technological changes, connecting community anchor institutions, supporting workforce development, accelerating digital adoption, expanding telehealth and remote education, and enabling precision agriculture and intelligent transportation systems.

The meeting included an overview of Round 1 of the Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Grant Program, with updates on grantee status and the Digital Opportunity Summit. The authority members discussed and approved the Round 1 recommendations, which were scheduled to be posted on the BroadbandOhio website. The next steps involve posting the approved recommendations and planning for a future meeting in the summer to discuss Round 2 of the grant program.