Connect Broadband

LINCOLN, Neb.- Connect Broadband is being established by Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts and others to serve rural Nebraskans a better online experience.

Earlier today Ricketts held a conference explaining the new initiative, Connect Broadband, and gave more insights into the project. Ricketts explained that this is about basic infrastructure.

"Infrastructure necessary for what we do today," Ricketts said.

"We must have that Broadband access to make sure everybody can participate in the state," Ricketts said.

To expand Broadband, money was given to start connecting households, around 17,000 homes in the beginning. In 2021, a ‘Rural Broadband Act’ was passed to help connect another 30,000 households. More programs have been established to connect even more people in need.

Many different programs have been put in place for consumers to use and access. Further information on these projects can be found online here at Broadband.Nebraska.Gov.

State Broadband Coordinator, Patrick Redmond explained a bit more about ‘Digital Equity’ and ‘Middle Mile.’

“Digital Equity is to make sure covered populations know how to use Broadband to their advantage,” Redmond said.

Redmond commented that ‘Middle Mile’ is a way to fill in gaps that exist in the state currently. ‘Middle Mile’ is currently available for people to apply to on the website listed above before the deadline on Sept. 23, 2022. Companies encouraged to apply are service providers or anyone looking to build out the middle mile backbone.

“Broadband is important for so many aspects of our society today. Think about everyday work, telehealth, e-Commerce, education, entertainment, and precision agriculture. All of these require broadband. We must have that broadband access to make sure that everybody can participate in the prosperity we have here in our state,” Ricketts said.

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