The digital divide in Florida represents a critical challenge impacting millions of residents’ economic opportunity, education, and quality of life. Recent data reveals persistent disparities in broadband access, with particularly stark differences between urban and rural communities and across income levels. The federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program has allocated $1.16 billion to Florida—the 13th largest state allocation—presenting an unprecedented opportunity to bridge this digital divide and connect unserved and underserved communities.
However, several significant challenges threaten the effective implementation of this program. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has exceeded its statutory authority by imposing additional requirements beyond congressional intent. These include preferences for union labor— particularly challenging in Florida, where only 4.7% of the workforce is unionized—and fiber-optic technology, which may not be cost-effective in Florida’s diverse landscapes. Furthermore, NTIA’s encouragement of government-owned networks risks market distortions and potentially squandering taxpayer resources on historically unsuccessful ventures.
Florida must take a strategic approach to maximize the impact of BEAD funding and ensure sustainable broadband expansion. The state should implement BEAD initiatives strictly according to Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requirements while exercising discretion regarding NTIA’s supplementary guidelines that exceeded congressional intent. Additionally, policymakers must deploy non-deployment dollars to streamline permitting and administrative processes. Florida can protect taxpayer interests by prohibiting BEAD funding for government-owned networks, focusing on the most economical use of funding, and prioritizing truly unserved communities before addressing underserved areas while ensuring the long-term sustainability of its broadband infrastructure investments. These focused efforts will accelerate the state’s progress in closing the digital divide while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
Read “Connecting Paradise: BEAD and the Sunshine State” here.