The Internet for All Initiative moves one step closer to completing its goals as one of its programs, the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program, receives the last portion of allocated funds. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) yesterday announced that the program received nearly$50 million to expand and strengthen regional and national internet networks in New Hampshire, Tennessee, Virginia and Wyoming. 

According to the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communication and Information, these projects do not directly connect end-users; they are the interstate highways of the internet, which carry large amounts of data at high speed, connecting communities. This batch of projects covers 27 countries across four states and will deploy 518.5 miles of new fibre to pass within 1000 feet of 164 community anchor institutions. 

Why does it matter?

Funding for the EMMBIP was commissioned by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which allocated$1 billion to the construction, improvement or acquisition of middle-mile infrastructure. Four of the 260 applicants were chosen to complete the job and are set to invest an additional$23 million in external funding. Along with other programs, such as the ACP, it endeavours to fulfil goals under the BEAD program by connecting unserved regions to the backbone of the internet.