Internet access has become an essential need for students and teachers across Delaware. Unfortunately, the internet is not always accessible to those in rural areas. For many communities, it has been particularly important to focus on making these services accessible as soon as possible.
The Delaware Department of Education, through the CARES Act funding, has invested $20 million to expand services to families in need. Fifteen broadband towers across Kent and Sussex Counties have already been fast-tracked and are about four months ahead of schedule. The funding will also be used to acquire equipment and services for families in financial need.
At the Back to Work Conference, Paul Herdman from the Rodel Foundation, Kevin Broadhurst from Comcast and James Collins, Chief Information Officer for Delaware Department of Technology and Information discussed the issues and challenges and what to expect from the expansion. The expansion is broken down into three phases with the goal of bringing digital equity to families experiencing hardship as well as to rural areas.
View the discussion: