Connect the Future Applauds Governor DeSantis for Signing the Broadband Deployment Act

Tallahassee, FL – Broadband advocates at Connect the Future (CTF) Florida released the following statement on the signing of the Broadband Deployment Act of 2021 by Governor Ron DeSantis.

“We applaud Governor Ron DeSantis for signing the Broadband Deployment Act, or HB 1239, and commend its lead sponsors, State Representative Josie Tomkow and State Senator Danny Burgess, for their strong leadership and tireless efforts to close the digital divide.

“The Broadband Deployment Act will help bring broadband to the Sunshine State’s rural areas by enabling access to critical infrastructure, and by identifying federal grants available for local spending. In expediting the ability of   providers to install broadband equipment on utility poles owned by municipalities and establishing a funding mechanism for current and future broadband projects, this legislation will help secure internet connectivity for more Floridians quickly, including many schools, businesses, farmers, and families in rural and hard-to-reach areas of the state.

“CTF Florida urges lawmakers to continue this momentum by addressing the remaining barriers to connectivity in unserved communities, where nearly 804,000 Floridians still lack access to a high-speed internet connection.

“To achieve high-speed broadband access availability for all Floridians, especially in rural communities, our elected leaders must finish the job by advancing additional reforms aimed at speeding access to pole infrastructure throughout all Florida communities, regardless of who owns the rural utility poles.

“Together we can ensure all Florida families will finally have and benefit from the 21st century tools that unlock new jobs, better educational outcomes, increased access to healthcare, along with the other modern internet applications most Americans can take for granted.”

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.