2024 Broadband coverage

The number of U.S. adults with high-speed broadband service has increased dramatically in the past two decades, and today, the Pew Research Center indicates that eight in 10 U.S. adults subscribe to a home broadband internet service.

As of late 2023, Alabama was not faring quite as well as the rest of the nation, and even with strides being made a priority by the governor’s office in the past year, it appears that Limestone County and much of Alabama has some catching up to do in terms of broadband access.

According to the report, “Limestone County Broadband Profile, published by Be Linked Alabama (broadband.alabama.gov/) in August 2023, “Limestone County’s region is comparable to statewide averages on all broadband adoption parameters, but lags behind national averages. Low-income households subscribe to internet at lower rates and receive less reliable service. Subsidies available from the federal Affordable Connectivity Program are underutilized” (view the report attached to this story on enewscourier.com or at https://broadband.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/ExecutiveSummaries/Limestone.pdf).

A snapshot of where we are at today is glimpsed through a series of reporting by The News Courier during the past year:

June 27, 2023: Limestone County asks for part of state allocated federal broadband funding from a $40 billion allocation for broadband from the trillion dollar bipartisan infrastructure federal spending plan in 2021. (https://www.enewscourier.com/news/local_news/limestone-county-will-ask-for-part-of-state-allocated-federal-broadband-funding/article_581a062c-1515-11ee-b967-b300e2135ebe.html).

Aug. 8, 2023: Gov. Kay Ivey announces new statewide brand for high-speed internet expansion: Be Linked Alabama and noted that “providing broadband connectivity to every Alabamian … has been a top priority … since Day 1” of her administration. (https://www.enewscourier.com/news/governor-ivey-announces-new-statewide-brand-for-high-speed-internet-expansion-details-upcoming-programs-to/article_d0714f02-3614-11ee-b91c-472fb925e93f.html).

Nov. 2, 2023: Alabama announces broadband and other plans for using the approximately $7 billion the state would receive from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. About $1.4 billion is allocated for broadband expansion. (https://www.enewscourier.com/news/state_and_nation/alabama-to-use-infrastructure-funds-for-broadband-airport-upgrades/article_2d5a603e-78c6-11ee-a1d2-d304c0bdf679.html).

Feb. 2, 2024: Ivey makes her fifth stop on a statewide broadband tour at DeKalb Regional Medical Center, discussing project in DeKalb and Jackson counties. (https://www.enewscourier.com/news/state_and_nation/limestone-waits-to-link-gov-ivey-holds-fifth-stop-on-statewide-broadband-tour/article_169014da-c208-11ee-b71c-7fabe5ed92c5.html).

Feb. 5, 2024: President Biden’s campaign promise of affordable internet for all is threatened by the possible expiration of subsidies. (https://www.enewscourier.com/ap/business/bidens-vow-of-affordable-internet-for-all-is-threatened-by-the-looming-expiration-of-subsidies/article_c6d51696-c4a5-5540-a765-e5c9729f03a3.html).

Feb. 6, 2024: Ivey awards $188 million for “middle mile” broadband project across the state. In North Alabama, Cullman Electric Cooperative receives $1.46 million to install middle-mile connections in various areas of Cullman County, covering 106 miles. (https://www.enewscourier.com/news/state_and_nation/governor-ivey-awards-188m-for-middle-mile-broadband-projects-with-impact-across-the-state/article_40ce5e0c-c468-11ee-a37e-5b2bd6fde7e8.html).