The Office of State Broadband is responsible for broadband infrastructure in underserved and rural areas throughout Connecticut. Residents and ISP’s who experience broadband infrastructure issues are encouraged to correspond with the state broadband office using the Digital Equity Toolkit.

In July 2021, Governor Ned Lamont signed Bill No. 6442, intended to make high-speed broadband more accessible, as 23 percent of Connecticut residents did not have internet access found in a 2018 survey, to attain the statewide goal of universal access by 2027.

The law mandates the creation of a state broadband map. It's scheduled to be published sometime before December 1, 2022. 

The law also promotes the build-out of broadband internet in unserved and underserved areas of Connecticut.

The U.S. Treasury Department approved $40.8 million in Capital Projects Funds on August 30, 2022 to the state. 

The money will connect 10,000 homes and businesses to affordable broadband through the Connecticut Broadband Infrastructure Program. The state is focusing on low-income and multi-family homes and businesses. 

The Connecticut Broadband Infrastructure Program, a competitive grant program, will fund broadband infrastructure that delivers reliable internet service that meets or exceeds symmetrical download and upload speeds of 100 megabits per second (Mbps). For any networks built with Capital Projects Funds support, providers must participate in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). 

$100 million is anticipated for broadband funding as well as over 600,000 eligible residents supported by the Affordability Connectivity Benefit, which will assist low income families afford high speed internet access.

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Burt Cohen is Staff Attorney & Broadband Policy Coordinator for the Office of Consumer Counsel