Make Your Voice Heard (Editorial)

Glen Howie, the state's broadband director (Phillip Davis)

THIS IS AN OPINION

We'd also like to hear yours.
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Have an opinion on broadband needs in Arkansas? Now’s your chance for your voice to be heard.

The Arkansas State Broadband Office is taking public comment through Saturday, Nov. 18, on broadband needs in the state.

The Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act of 2021 established the Broadband Equity, Access & Deployment, or BEAD, program, which allocated more than $1 billion to Arkansas for the construction and upgrade of broadband networks. The money is also aimed at increasing digital skills and opportunities for Arkansans.

The State Broadband Office has drafted a proposal detailing how the state plans to provide internet access to areas that don’t have it or are underserved, specifically how it will operate the mapping process for eligible locations. And it wants the public to weigh in on its proposal.

“It is critically important that our state’s residents and business owners be able to provide accurate feedback about the broadband service available to them,” Arkansas broadband director Glen Howie said. “This public comment period will allow all Arkansans to have a voice in how we design that process.”

Visit broadband.arkansas.gov to learn more. We’ve heard that the squeaky wheel sometimes gets the grease, so squeak.