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From the Chief Connectivity Officer
Have you heard about the Affordable Connectivity Program? Have you heard about it, but still have questions? Look no further!
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a
Federal Communications Commission program that helps connect families and households struggling to afford internet service. This new benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward broadband service for eligible
households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.
Eligible households can enroll through a
participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an
online or mail in application.
You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting
www.fcc.gov/ACP, or by calling 877-384-2575.
Sincerely,
Eric Frederick, Chief Connectivity Officer
Michigan High-Speed Internet Office
Leo-mihighspeedinternet@michigan.gov
Resources
Want to know more or have questions?
Register for the MIHI informational webinar on November 10th at 10AM. Join the staff of the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office to learn more about the office and its programs, have your questions answered,
and how you can get involved with closing Michigan's digital divide.
MIHI is hiring! Join our growing team and help to close Michigan's digital divide.
Click here to view the position posting.
Join
the Digital Inclusion Database. MIHI is creating an inventory of organizations and facilities that are providing digital inclusion services. If you provide public access to computers, digital literacy training, cybersafety training, or other similar
services,
click here to join our growing database of practitioners and providers across the state.
Want to host a Regional Broadband Navigator?
Click here to apply. The Regional Broadband Navigator Grant Program seeks to provide EDOs and other regional entities with funding to support a broadband-focused staff member to assist in coordination, development, capacity
building, and executive of broadband planning.
Apply now for funding to support a navigator in your region.
The USDA ReConnect grant/loan program is open for applications until November 2, 2022:
ReConnect Loan and Grant Program | USDA.
If you are applying for USDA ReConnect funds and would like to be considered for a letter of support from the MIHI Office, please send a project summary and map to
LEO-MIHighSpeedInternet@michigan.gov along with any other materials for consideration. Letter requests must be received no later than 5pm on October 31st, 2022.
Maps of broadband service availability can help identify gaps in your community:
Mapping & Analysis | Connect Michigan (connectednation.org)
Protect the important devices and people in your life with Michigan Secure, the free security app only for Michigan residents. Michigan Secure helps protect you from unsecure Wi-Fi networks,
phishing emails, unsafe apps, and more.
Learn more about Michigan Secure.
Program Updates
The MIHI Office is tasked with implementing three federally funded programs. These programs are described below. Stay tuned for more information as these programs are developed.
Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Networks (ROBIN) is a last-mile and middle-mile
broadband sub-grant program open to internet service providers and public-private partnerships. ROBIN is funded with $250M from the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund that is administered by the US Treasury. The program is designed to provide support for building
new broadband networks to locations throughout the state that currently do not have broadband available at a speed of at least 100 Megabits per second download and 20 Megabits per second upload, (100/20 Mbps). MIHI aims to open the ROBIN application window
before the end of 2022.
View the ROBIN Fact Sheet to learn more.
Broadband Equity, Access, and Development (BEAD) is the largest investment in broadband ever made
by the federal government. BEAD will provide state's with a formula-based allocation of funds to address universal broadband availability and digital equity. While final allocations have not yet been made, MIHI anticipates that Michigan will receive between
$1.5B and $1.7B in BEAD funding. BEAD will be implemented as a sub-grant program to eligible entities that meet program requirements. There is much to do to prepare for the BEAD program including the development of a statewide plan, the publication and challenge
of new FCC broadband maps, and the creation of a detailed initial proposal of the state's sub-grant program, among others. These activities will need to take place prior to BEAD funds being sub-granted and the start of network deployment. It is estimated that
BEAD funds will likely be awarded to subrecipients beginning in early 2024.
Click here for more information on BEAD from the NTIA.
State Digital Equity Planning Grant (SDEPG)
program will provide MIHI with $1.33M in funds to create a statewide digital equity plan. The successful completion of this plan will then be followed by an application to the
forthcoming State Digital Equity Capacity Grant program that will provide a formula based grant to the state to implement the plan in the fall of 2023.
Click here for more information on SDEPG from the NTIA.
In the News
Please forward this newsletter to others that may be interested. Please send any questions to:
LEO-MIHighSpeedInternet@michigan.gov.
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