- Internet Use High, Gaps Remain
- New York Reopens Applications for ConnectALL Program
- New Mexico Expands Connectivity
- Oklahoma Completes ARPA Projects
- Fiber Networks Expand to New Locations
INTERNET USE HIGH, GAPS REMAIN
A Pew Research Center analysis has revealed new findings on Internet use and related sentiments.
While children’s screen time has been a topic of contention, the analysis indicates that children are not alone; 9 in 10 U.S. adults use the Internet daily — and 41 percent say they’re online “almost constantly.” For adults under 30, 63 percent indicated near-constant use.
Most U.S. residents surveyed said they either subscribe to broadband Internet at home or own a smartphone; the percentage of people who have a smartphone has exceeded the percentage of those who subscribe to broadband at home consistently since 2016, and that shift is reflected by governments pushing for a mobile-first experience.
While Internet use is increasing, fixed broadband access at home still varies, and income is a factor. While 94 percent of U.S. adults with an annual salary of $100,000 subscribe to broadband service, only 54 percent of those making less than $30,000 do so.
There has also been a decrease in the percent of home broadband subscriptions between 2023 and the January analysis for two specific demographic groups: adults ages 18 to 29 and Hispanic adults. More than one quarter, or 27 percent, of the former group rely on a smartphone for Internet access, and 28 percent of the latter do.
Between 2013 and today, the number of U.S. adults who are “smartphone-dependent,” or those who only have Internet access through Internet-enabled smartphone devices, has doubled from 8 to 16 percent.
NEW YORK REOPENS APPLICATIONS FOR CONNECTALL PROGRAM
In state news, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that the ConnectALL Municipal Infrastructure Program (MIP) has reopened for applications. It will make up to $36 million available for broadband infrastructure projects throughout the state.
Thus far, MIP has distributed $268 million in funding for active projects across 24 counties; these are slated to deliver more than 2,300 miles of new fiber-optic infrastructure in 68 new wireless hubs.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through April 30, and the application review process will begin Feb. 2.
MIP funding can be used for last-mile infrastructure, fiber connections to Internet exchange points or data centers, or the acquisition of existing infrastructure assets to improve last-mile service delivery.
NEW MEXICO EXPANDS CONNECTIVITY
The New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) has announced progress on several initiatives intended to expand broadband access in the state dubbed the “Land of Enchantment.” This follows last week’s release of the state’s three-year broadband plan.
First, OBAE announced that a total of 484 student households are receiving high-speed Internet access as a result of a $1.5 million project through the Student Connect grant program. Participating students and staff will receive up to three years of complimentary broadband to support adoption. All Student Connect projects must be completed by June 30.
OBAE also said that 4,000 homes and other locations in Valencia and Socorro counties will be connected through upcoming broadband projects funded through the Connect New Mexico Fund, established by the New Mexico Legislature in 2021 through the Connect New Mexico Act.
“Today is proof that the state is committed to delivering vital broadband to rural homes and businesses,” Neala Krueger, OBAE state grants senior program manager, said in a statement.
OKLAHOMA COMPLETES ARPA PROJECTS
Oklahoma has completed two broadband expansion projects funded through the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF), an investment intended to support economic recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program was authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). This funding has specific deadlines guiding its use.
These two Oklahoma projects, which broke ground in November 2024, deliver fiber-optic Internet service to 366 locations in Washita and Greer counties.
The state Legislature allocated $374 million in SLFRF funding to the Oklahoma Broadband Office in 2022. The deadline for these projects to be operational is the end of this year, per the announcement.
FIBER NETWORKS EXPAND TO NEW LOCATIONS
At the local level, Internet expansion projects continue to deliver fiber Internet to communities.
In Florida, Clearwave Fiber announced a fiber network expansion into Panama City and surrounding communities. The first residential customers are slated to be connected as early as March.
Construction is underway on a 100 percent fiber network in Newport, R.I., that is expected to bring high-speed Internet to more than 8,200 homes and businesses. The project is led by GoNetspeed, and customers are expected to be connected in early 2026.
A Daytona Beach, Fla.,-based provider, Wire 3, is connecting homes and businesses with fiber Internet in Deltona and DeLand, Fla., through a privately funded $60 million investment, with the first homes “officially lit up,” per the announcement.
Fiber has been touted as the preferred broadband technology infrastructure for its resilience and operational speed. This preference was reflected in the congressionally approved Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program, though that was subsequently removed by the President Donald Trump administration in favor of a technology-neutral approach. Some government officials at the state and local levels, however, still favor fiber.
