Gov. Tony Evers and the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) announced in a recent press release that Wisconsin’s Digital Equity Plan was accepted by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The NTIA’s acceptance of the plan marks an important step toward implementing the plan, which will guide the state’s strategy to improve digital opportunities and support digital equity, helping ensure every Wisconsinite has the skills, resources, and broadband service necessary to fully participate in society and the economy.
With the announcement, Wisconsin is now eligible to receive approximately $24–30 million in Digital Equity Capacity Grant funding to implement the state’s Digital Equity Plan over a five-year period.
The Digital Equity Plan is one of three components of the Digital Equity Act. Passed under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), the Digital Equity Act is intended to ensure that all communities can access and use affordable, reliable high-speed internet to meet their needs and improve their lives. The Wisconsin Digital Equity Plan is designed to align with and complement the BIL’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program to fund broadband infrastructure deployment and achieve high-speed internet access for all. Digital Equity Act funding will be directed toward specific populations that have disproportionately faced internet access, affordability, and adoption barriers.
The other components of the Digital Equity Act are the State Capacity Grant Program, which will be administered by the Commission beginning later in 2024, and the Competitive Grant Program, which will be administered by NTIA beginning in 2025.
