State task force outlines plans for $1B in federally funded broadband internet expansion

Wisconsin is set to deploy over $1 billion in federal funds over the next five years to expand broadband internet to underserved areas, with a focus on connecting approximately 200,000 locations across the state. The state’s Broadband Task Force has been planning this expansion and will start issuing grants this fall, aiming to bridge the digital divide as outlined in their recent annual report. The report recommends that the next state budget include additional funding for broadband, a proposal previously rejected by lawmakers. Despite significant progress, including the addition of 88,500 new high-speed internet locations in 2023, gaps in service remain, particularly in terms of affordability and complete coverage. The Task Force stresses the importance of both federal and state investments to meet its goal of universal high-speed broadband access by 2028-29.

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