Press Release: Gov. Evers Announces Release of 2024 Governor’s Task Force on Broadband Access Annual Report

State of Wisconsin sent this bulletin at 07/26/2024 07:00 AM CDT
Office of Governor Tony Evers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 26, 2024
Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov 
 
Gov. Evers Announces Release of 2024 Governor’s Task Force on Broadband Access Annual Report
 
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today announced the release of the Governor’s Task Force on Broadband Access’ fourth annual report. Building upon findings from the previous task force reports, the 2024 report provides an update on achievements under Gov. Evers and the Evers Administration to expand access, adoption, and affordability of high-speed internet across Wisconsin. The fourth annual report makes recommendations for the state to efficiently deploy federal broadband funds while sustaining and extending this progress through ongoing state investment and initiatives to advance digital equity.

“Having access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet is a necessity—not a luxury—for how Wisconsinites learn, work, get connected to services, and stay in touch with loved ones. And I’m proud my administration has done more to expand access to high-speed internet than any other administration in our state’s history,” said Gov. Evers. “Through our investments, more than 410,000 homes and businesses will be connected to new or improved high-speed internet service, but as this report shows, we've got more work to do. I'll be calling on the Legislature to make real, meaningful investments in broadband in our next budget so we can continue building the 21st-century infrastructure Wisconsinites need and deserve. In the meantime, I want to thank the task force and Public Service Commission for providing this important road map to get us closer to our goal to close the digital divide in our state once and for all.”

Since 2019, Gov. Evers has allocated more than $345 million in state and federal funds to expand high-speed internet, including the state’s largest-ever investment in broadband expansion. This funding overall will support new and improved internet service for more than 410,000 homes and businesses statewide. Through these efforts, the broadband adoption rate in Wisconsin, meaning the number of households with internet subscriptions, has reached 88 percent—the highest it has ever been and a full 11 percent higher than it was five years ago.

“The annual Broadband Access Task Force report illustrates the Evers Administration’s great success in connecting a record number of homes and businesses to high-speed internet,” said PSC Chairperson Summer Strand. “In the 2024 report, the Task Force presents practical recommendations that build upon our recent accomplishments and will help us achieve internet for all in Wisconsin. I am grateful to Task Force members for their service and expertise in identifying solutions to address barriers to internet access, affordability, and adoption.”

Gov. Evers’ administration has done more to expand access to high-speed internet than any other administration in state history, and although great progress has been made to connect more Wisconsin homes and businesses to high-speed internet, more work remains. According to the most recent estimates from the Federal Communications Commission, there are more than 180,100 unserved locations and more than 195,200 underserved locations in the state. In addition, Wisconsin households are facing increased internet affordability challenges since the U.S. Congress failed to extend the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). As of February 2024, one in six Wisconsin households were enrolled in the ACP. The ACP monthly benefit amounted to $30 per month for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. The taskforce recognizes that internet affordability and tools for internet adoption are critical to bridging Wisconsin’s digital divide and made recommendations reflecting these priorities.

The task force makes the following recommendations, among others, to the governor and the Wisconsin State Legislature in its 2024 report:  
  • Support continued investment of state broadband funding to ensure high-speed, long-term, reliable internet service for all; 
  • Prepare for the efficient, transparent, and accountable deployment of federal broadband investments through workforce training and improved permitting and locating processes; 
  • Improve coordination with Tribal Nations and local communities to encourage involvement and participation in the rollout of federal funds; 
  • Ensure all Wisconsinites have access to affordable internet through federal or state action to continue the ACP or similar initiative; and 
  • Connect all Wisconsinites to internet enabled device(s) and assistive technologies that meet their needs, including for telehealth, education, job readiness, and workforce development.

In his most recent 2023-25 biennial budget, Gov. Evers recommended allocating $750 million in state funding to supplement the federal funding being allocated to the state in coming years. Republicans in the Legislature removed this funding from the final budget, providing $0 in new funding for broadband expansion.

Gov. Evers created the Task Force on Broadband Access through Executive Order #80 in July 2020 to advise the governor and Legislature on broadband actions, policies, and strategies to successfully expand high-speed internet in Wisconsin. Since its inception, the Task Force has brought together a diverse group of members with experience in this field to learn from outside experts, hear from the public, and identify forward-looking broadband policies and initiatives that aim to close the digital divide in the state.

The 2023 report is available here.

More information about the Governor's Task Force on Broadband Access, including previous reports, can be found on the PSC website here. 
 
An online version of this release is available here.
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