Missouri – Missouri is about to make a big stride toward narrowing its digital divide now that the federal government has approved more than $814 million in broadband projects across the state. The money is planned to bring consistent high-speed internet connection to more than 200,000 places that don’t have good access right now, many of which are in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
Governor Mike Kehoe said that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration has approved Missouri’s last proposal under the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment program.
The state Office of Broadband Development can now give money to internet service providers that are responsible for extending and improving broadband networks. After the agreements are signed, suppliers will have up to four years to finish the required work.
“High-speed internet is no longer a luxury—it’s essential infrastructure,” said Governor Mike Kehoe.
“We thank the Trump Administration and NTIA for approving Missouri’s plan to invest more than $814 million to expand broadband access to over 200,000 of the most difficult to serve locations in our state. This investment strengthens our economy, supports rural communities, and creates new opportunities for families and businesses across Missouri.”
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State authorities said that the signing of the agreement was a big step forward in Missouri’s long-term goal of making internet access a fundamental right. The investment is meant to help the economy grow, make rural areas stronger, and provide people and businesses who have had trouble with poor or slow internet access with additional opportunities. Officials pointed out that the strategy puts the most important places first, places that have not received much private investment in the past.
The Missouri Department of Economic Development said that months of work between state personnel, providers, and local partners were what got them to this point. Agency leaders said that a lot of preparation and data evaluation were needed to meet federal criteria and make sure the proposal included as many eligible areas as feasible. About 7,200 places were no longer eligible during the federal assessment process because of new mapping data or service agreements that providers submitted.
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Fiber-optic technology will be used in most of the approved projects, which is why they got more than 80% of the locations. Low-earth orbit satellites, fixed wifi, and limited coaxial cable installations will service more places, allowing the state to fit technological options to the terrain and demands of each area.
The state was able to give all qualifying areas a BEAD award while keeping a large part of its total BEAD allotment for future use. This was in addition to extending coverage. Officials added that how the rest of the money will help the state’s economy and digital participation will depend on guidance from federal partners.
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Missouri’s broadband mapping tools will make detailed award information available to the public. This will let people check service plans by address as projects advance toward implementation.
Types of awards by technology in the approved Final Proposal:
- End-to-end fiber: 166,750 locations (82%)
- Low-earth orbit satellite: 23,378 locations (12%)
- Fixed wireless: 11,494 locations (6%)
- Co-axial cable: 2,212 locations (1%)
