Connect the Future Applauds Florida Legislature for Passing the Broadband Infrastructure Act
Tallahassee, FL – Broadband advocates at Connect the Future (CTF) Florida applaud the Florida State Legislature for passing the Broadband Infrastructure Act, or HB 1239.
“We applaud the Florida State Legislature for passing the Broadband Infrastructure Act, or HB 1239, and commend its lead sponsors, State Representative Josie Tomkow and State Senator Danny Burgess, for their leadership on efforts to close the digital divide.
“The Broadband Infrastructure Act takes important strides toward addressing obstacles to the expansion of high-speed internet service. By clearing the way for broadband providers to install equipment on utility poles owned by municipalities and establishing a funding mechanism for current and future broadband projects, this legislation will help to connect more Floridians, more quickly.
“We look forward to seeing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sign HB 1239 into law, and we urge lawmakers to keep up the momentum by addressing remaining barriers to connectivity in unserved communities. Together we can ensure all Florida families will finally be able to take advantage of 21st century tools that unlock new jobs, better educational outcomes, increased access to healthcare, and all the other modern resources most Americans can take for granted.”
According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), there are nearly 804,000 Floridians across 54 counties who do not have access to high-speed broadband. Even with more than 220 internet providers offering broadband service in the state, Florida’s digital divide is real, and the socio-economic consequences are even more stark for the 20% of Florida’s rural population that do not have access to a broadband connection.
CTF Florida is committed to working with policymakers to ensure every Floridian has access to reliable broadband connectivity in an increasingly digital age. Read more on CTF Florida and its mission HERE.