ARIZONA – The Arizona government has announced ConnectAllAZ, an initiative to ensure that all Arizonans have access to information about state broadband programs.
The program brings together all of Arizona’s broadband expansion efforts, including $993 million in historic funding for the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, into a single initiative, and aims to provide a comprehensive snapshot of broadband availability across the state.
In addition, ConnectAllAZ.com provides residents with information on all state broadband programs, community engagement opportunities and resources such as webinars and action plans.
The website also features the new Arizona Statewide Broadband Map, a tool that visually identifies unserved and underserved communities and shows Internet access at every address in the state. This resource supports state, local and federal efforts to address gaps and advance new connections.
“In today’s high-speed world, Internet access is a necessity for getting an education, starting and growing a business, accessing healthcare and finding a job,” said Gov. Katie Hobbs.
ConnectAllAZ aims to streamline and advance Arizona’s broadband initiatives, including the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) and Digital Equity programs. The funding represents the largest broadband investment in state history with the primary goal of universal broadband access for all, with the goal of connecting 100 percent of Arizona homes by 2030, while ensuring that diverse communities across the state have the capabilities and technology needed to reap the full benefits of a digital economy.
In addition, the Arizona Broadband Development Grant Program allocates $100 million for broadband infrastructure projects in Arizona’s underserved and underserved areas, connecting thousands of homes and businesses across the state. To date, the program has 17 awardees in rural and urban counties, including Apache and Navajo counties.
The Arizona Statewide Broadband Middle Mile Program is an innovative public-private partnership that focuses on critical infrastructure development and aims to improve broadband access to unserved and underserved areas by upgrading the middle segment of the network, which connects local communities to major Internet hubs.
The State of Arizona’s Broadband Middle Mile Strategic Plan was developed to support broadband expansion efforts along Interstates 17, 19 and 40, in collaboration with the Arizona Department of Transportation.
These “broadband corridors” along Arizona’s highways include the installation of fiber optic conduits to complement and support Arizona’s last mile programs such as BEAD, Digital Equity and E-Rate.
