New Hampshire
Amplifying Investments
Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth (OICG) Deputy Associate Administrator Susannah Spellman was the keynote speaker at the Technology Association of New England’s Annual Meeting in Portsmouth in October 2023. She engaged with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and other stakeholders throughout New Hampshire and provided updates on the Internet for All initiatives.
Future Proofing
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure (Middle Mile) Program awarded Grafton County $11.9 million in funding to build a 222-mile middle mile and backbone network that will support Internet access for up to 6,100 unserved Broadband Serviceable Locations (BSLs) in the county. It will benefit 27 K-12 education facilities, 41 licensed childcare facilities, five higher education institutions, two career technology centers, and five hospitals.
Website for Digital Equity
New Hampshire used Digital Equity planning funding to create a website for aggregating information on digital equity events across the state: New Hampshire Digital Equity website.
Public Engagement
The New Hampshire Federal Program Officer (FPO) assisted and participated in a series of public listening sessions and virtual stakeholder roundtable events during September and October 2023. The FPO also attended and participated in ongoing one-on-one engagements.
Additionally, the OICG team, through its local FPO and leadership, assisted New Hampshire in grant administration support, technical assistance, and stakeholder engagement, including assistance with preparing extensions and lifting funding restrictions.
Webinar for BEAD Information
NTIA, the New Hampshire Office of Broadband Initiatives, and the New Hampshire Municipal Association hosted a webinar to provide information on the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program and state challenge process for New Hampshire’s 234 cities and towns on October 13, 2023. Learn About the Federal BEAD Broadband Program Webinar | New Hampshire Municipal Association.