During a Grand Junction, CO City Council meeting on Monday, representatives from various telecommunications companies updated officials on broadband adoption in the area. According to The Daily Sentinel, Lumen Technologies, Spectrum, and Emery Telcom reported that despite continued infrastructure build-out and new federal programs to help low-income families afford internet access, adoption is low.
“We’re looking at a lot of our markets and looking at the penetration of these fiber gigabit type services, and shockingly it’s somewhat low,” said Tim Kunkleman of Lumen. He points to several reasons why rates are lower than anticipated, including price, lack of awareness, and a necessity for high-speeds.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government created the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program, providing a $50 discount per month toward broadband service for low-income families, reported the Sentinel. However, according to Brock Johansen with Emery Telcom, the program is set to expire in the fall, which will create an access obstacle.
“If you go read the Pew research, affordability is the number one issue for lack of broadband adoption by 10 times anything else,” he said. “The problem with this EBB program is that it has limited funds.”
John Lee with Spectrum believes lack of awareness is a significant hurdle and suggests the city partner with providers to “do a better job” with communication. “Is there a way to make sure your residents are aware of all the different discount programs that are out there, whether it’s something temporary like EBB or the more permanent low-income programs?” he asked.
Both Lee and Kunkleman noted that their companies are committed to building out infrastructure, including fiber, to ensure unserved and underserved areas have broadband access. Colorado also requires providers to submit more accurate coverage maps so officials can determine how to move forward with the next steps for broadband adoption.
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