Reports indicate the state of Arkansas and its broadband expansion program are facing headwinds over changes to the Biden-era federal broadband program.
They include increased internet costs for residents plus extended goals beyond 2030, reported the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. The state had originally received more than $1 billion to connect 84,000 lobcations under the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program.
However proposed federal changes include a cap on per-location spending from $3,000 to $20,000 and it might force the state to redo its grant process. Could the same changes force such action by the Oklahoma Broadband Office?
“Any statements at this point would be speculative only,” answered Tim Allen, Director of Communications at the OBO. ” We await official word about any changes from NTIA.”
But the Arkansas changes might reduce service quality and incraese costs. As a result, reports indicated that 17 legislators signed a letter asking Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to allow the changes to be “optional” and not mandatory.
