Friday, June 16, 2023 | 3:03 p.m.
Nevada was awarded more than $43 million today to expand high-speed internet access, the White House and Nevada's U.S. Senate delegation announced today.
The initiative is aimed at delivering fiber optic service and boosting network resiliency for a 431-mile open access network from Las Vegas to Wells, along U.S. 93. The initiative will impact communities across Clark, Lincoln, White Pine and Elko counties, the White House said.
"Access to high-speed internet is absolutely essential to our daily lives, but unfortunately, too many communities across our state lack basic internet services," U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., said in a statement. "I've made it a priority to fight for improved internet access for families in our state."
In a separate statement, U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., said connecting the whole state to broadband is "long overdue."
"Nevadans across the state should have reliable broadband access, no matter where they live," Cortez Masto said. "And this federal funding will connect thousands of Nevadans who do not currently have reliable internet access."
The program is run by the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration and is part of President Joe Biden's Internet for All initiative.
Cortez Masto's office said residents in the impacted areas should consult the federal Affordable Connectivity Program to see if they qualify for a discount for their broadband service.
