Overview
Overview
Florida Strategic Plan for Broadband
The Florida Broadband Strategic Plan lays out the vision of the Office of Broadband, the roles for state and local participants, and the strategies to undertake as Florida works towards a fully connected citizenry, both economically and socially.
Application Portal for Broadband Funding
The Application Portal for Broadband Funding will be used when applying for any funding program within the Office of Broadband. If you are already a member, please sign in to enter the application portal. If you are not yet a member, please click "not a member" and proceed with creating an account. Remember, when registering, your username must be your full email address. This email will be used to enter the application portal when applying for any broadband funding. .
Directives
Under sections 288.9961, 288.9962, and 288.9963, Florida Statutes, the Office of Broadband is responsible for:
- Developing, marketing and promoting broadband internet services in the state;
- Creating a strategic plan to increase the use of broadband internet services in the state;
- Reviewing and verifying public input regarding transmission speeds and availability of broadband internet services throughout the state;
- Building and facilitating local technology planning teams or partnerships; and
- Participating in the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proceedings that are related to the geographic availability and deployment of broadband internet in Florida.
- Establishing the Broadband Opportunity Program and rulemaking for the program to award grants to applicants who seek to expand broadband to unserved areas (subject to appropriations).
- Developing a map of broadband internet service availability throughout the state.
Local Technology Planning Teams
Section 288.9961(4)(b), Florida Statutes, directs the Office of Broadband to build and facilitate local technology planning teams representing cross-sections of the community, which may include, but are not limited to, representatives from the following organizations and industries:
- Libraries; K-12 education; colleges and universities; local health care providers; private businesses; community organizations; economic development organizations; local governments; tourism; parks and recreation; and agriculture.
For more information, please visit the Local Technology Planning Teams webpage.
Broadband Timeline
- In November 2022, the Office of Broadband received $247.8 million from the U.S. Treasury for the Capital Projects Fund Broadband Infrastructure Program. The Office was also awarded $2.4 million for their Digital Equity Planning Grant, as well as $5 million for the BEAD 5-year action plan.
- In November 2022, the final rule for the Broadband Opportunity Program became effective.
- In October 2022,the Office of Broadband filed the final rule package to JAPC and updated the Office website with information on the Broadband Opportunity Program, including program guidelines, frequently asked questions, and information on the technical assistance walk though webinars.
- In September 2022, DEO posted the final application and scoring and evaluation criteria for the Broadband Opportunity Program to the website. DEO also Published the Notice of Proposed Rule in the Florida Administrative Weekly.
- In August 2022, DEO hosted three regional workshops (Bartow in Polk County on August 22, Milton in Santa Rosa County on August 25, and Moore Haven in Glades County on August 29, 2022) to receive community input on rulemaking for the implementation of the $400 million Broadband Opportunity Program.
- In June 2022, DEO submitted the Florida Strategic Plan for Broadband to the Governor, the Speaker of the House, and the President of the Senate. The Florida Strategic Plan for Broadband lays out the vision of the Office of Broadband, the roles for state and local participants, and the strategies to undertake as Florida works toward a fully connected citizenry, both economically and socially.
- In June 2022, DEO published the Faster Florida Broadband Map, which identifies census blocks as unserved, underserved, served, and no fixed internet service as defined in Section 288.9961, Florida Statutes. The map also identifies Florida geographic boundaries, community anchor institutions, grant funding opportunities, and information on the speed tests taken through the Florida Broadband Availability Map.
- In December 2021, DEO published Florida’s Broadband Availability Map to identify where broadband-capable networks exist, where service is available to end users, gaps in rural areas, and download and upload speeds. DEO continues to collect data from Floridians on their availability and accessibility of broadband Internet to be added to the map through its Broadband Internet Speed Test.
- In September 2021, DEO launched the Local Technology Planning Team initiative using the Broadband Planning Toolkit developed by the Office of Broadband. Local Technology Planning Teams are tasked with working within their communities to understand their current broadband availability, locate unserved and underserved businesses and residents, identify assets relevant to broadband deployment, build partnerships with broadband service providers, and identify opportunities to leverage assets and reduce barriers to the deployment of broadband Internet services in the community.
- In February 2021, DEO partnered with the Florida Regional Councils Association to host 10 virtual workshops where participants discussed broadband internet accessibility. Industry sector and community leaders within each region were invited to participate. These industry sectors included education, healthcare, private business, community organizations, agriculture, tourism, parks and recreation, economic development, local governments, and internet service providers.
- During Florida’s 2021 Legislative session, House Bill 1239 passed and provided an allocation of $1.5 million to develop geographic information system (GIS) maps of Florida’s currently availability of broadband internet service.
- In July 2020, the Florida Office of Broadband was established within DEO’s Division of Community Development to increase the availability and effectiveness of broadband internet throughout the state. The amendment of Section 288.9961, Florida Statutes, and creation of Sections 288.9962 and 288.9963, Florida Statutes, provides DEO access to federal grant dollars and assists rural communities with the expansion of broadband services, as well as provides directives for broadband mapping and the Broadband Opportunity Program.
Resources
Florida Broadband Virtual Workshops
The Florida Office of Broadband partnered with the Florida Regional Councils Association to host 10 virtual workshops where participants discussed broadband internet accessibility. Industry sector and community leaders within each region were invited to participate. These industry sectors included education, healthcare, private business, community organizations, agriculture, tourism, parks and recreation, economic development, local governments and internet service providers.
View the Workshop Summary that was compiled from the virtual workshop discussions and polls. To provide more information on the regional virtual broadband workshops, the PowerPoint presentations and recordings are available below.
Workshop Recordings
- Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council Virtual Workshop - January 27, 2021
- Apalachee Regional Planning Council Virtual Workshop - January 28, 2021
- Emerald Coast Regional Planning Council Virtual Workshop - February 1, 2021
- Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council Virtual Workshop - February 2, 2021
- Central Florida Regional Planning Council Virtual Workshop - February 3, 2021
- Northeast Florida Regional Planning Council Virtual Workshop - February 4, 2021
- South Florida Regional Planning Council Virtual Workshop - February 9, 2021
- North Central Florida Regional Planning Council Virtual Workshop - February 10, 2021
- East Central Florida Regional Planning Council Virtual Workshop - February 11, 2021
- Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council Virtual Workshop - February 12, 2021
Broadband Toolkits
Maps
Maps
Faster Florida Broadband Map
The Florida Office of Broadband has created the Faster Florida Broadband Map. This map identifies census blocks as unserved, underserved, served, and no fixed internet service as defined in 288.9961 F.S. The map also identifies Florida geographic boundaries, community anchor institutions, grant funding opportunities, and information on the speed tests taken through the Florida Broadband Availability Map.
Florida's Broadband Availability Map and Internet Speed Test
The Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has developed Florida’s Broadband Availability Map to identify broadband internet service availability throughout the state. The Broadband Availability Map identifies a location’s speed, connectivity, and access to broadband services. These insights allow the state of Florida to better identify and reach unserved and underserved areas of the state. The map will be an asset to local communities and internet service providers to assist with broadband planning efforts.
As part of DEO’s efforts to encourage public participation collaboration and ensure a high level of transparency, the Florida Broadband Availability Map will be continuously updated on this webpage. Please note that the map is not complete and will continue to be updated as more data is added and changes in broadband availability are identified.
DEO is enlisting the help of the public to take an internet speed test to assist in further developing Florida's Broadband Availability Map. Your participation will help the state of Florida identify gaps in high-speed internet service in order to advance the state’s overall broadband infrastructure expansion goals. Using your internet connection, the speed test will measure the speed of internet transmission between your device and an outside server. The speed test can be completed using any device that has an internet or cellular connection and takes less than one minute to complete. After taking the speed test, you will receive immediate results from your test. Results will populate the map once you complete the speed test and will include your download, upload, latency, and ping speeds. The data collected from your internet’s speed test will be displayed on the Florida Broadband Availability Map in real time.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) National Broadband Map
On November 18, 2022, the FCC released the draft of the National Broadband Map. The National Broadband Map displays where internet services are and are not available across the country. The map includes data submitted by providers, challenges from third parties and the public, and verifications and audits by the FCC, which together will continually improve and refine the broadband availability data relied upon by the FCC, other government agencies, and the public, as required by the Broadband DATA Act. It is important that the FCC National Broadband Map be as accurate as possible. Funding through the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment program will be based on the final FCC map.
Floridians are encouraged to visit the FCC National Broadband Map and enter their home or business address to view a summary of the FCC’s broadband Internet data for that location. For information on how to use the map and how to submit a challenge if the information for that address appears to be incorrect, please visit the FCC Broadband Data Collection Help Center. Challenges received by January 13, 2023, will be prioritized and will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis.
Floridians without a fixed (wired) or mobile broadband connection are especially encouraged to participate. A mobile phone, a friend or family member’s computer, or a public access site (a school, community center, or public library) can be used to enter a home address, review, and if needed, challenge the FCC’s national broadband map.
Survey on the Availability and Accessibility of Broadband Internet
The Florida Office of Broadband's Survey on the Availability and Accessibility of Broadband Internet is now closed. Your responses will be used to help the office identify the status of broadband internet in your area and understand how you define broadband expansion. View the Broadband Survey Results.
Broadband Opportunity
Broadband Opportunity
Broadband Opportunity Program
Per section 288.9962, Florida Statutes, the Broadband Opportunity Program was established with the Office of Broadband. This grant program, funded at $400 million, provides funding for the installation and deployment of broadband Internet infrastructure in unserved Florida communities, providing valuable telehealth, economic, educational, and workforce development opportunities to offer a brighter future for all Floridians.
Capital Projects Fund
Capital Projects Fund
Capital Projects Fund
The Florida Office of Broadband intends to use funds from the Capital Projects Fund to deploy broadband Internet infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas throughout the state, prioritizing rural areas. In November 2022, the Office of Broadband received $247.8 million from the U.S. Treasury for the Capital Projects Fund Broadband Infrastructure Program.
Application Window
The application window for the Capital Projects Fund - Broadband Infrastructure Program has been extended to April 21, 2023. A Statewide Technical Assistance Webinar specific to this program and the application, was held on March 2, 2023.
Open Comment Period
There will be an Open Comment Period from April 7, 2023, through April 28, 2023. The three-week Open Comment Period will provide an opportunity for the Office to receive public comment on the applications submitted for the Capital Projects Fund - Broadband Infrastructure Program. Any comments submitted or received during the open comment period will be collected by the Office for consideration and information purposes only. Comments must be directly addressed to a specific application. Please note, the DEO is under no obligation to act on every or any comment received. To submit a comment, complete the CPF Open Comment Form below and email the form to Broadband@DEO.MyFlorida.com.
For more information, please review the updated Capital Projects Fund- Broadband Infrastructure Program Guidelines, the updated Capital Projects Fund - Broadband Infrastructure Program Application, and the updated Capital Projects Fund - Broadband Infrastructure Program Scoring & Evaluation Criteria.
BEAD Program
BEAD Program
Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD)
The BEAD Program provides federal funding for grants to states for broadband planning, deployment, mapping, equity, and adoption activities. The BEAD Program, part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), allocates a minimum of $100 million for states to expand broadband infrastructure and connectivity programs. On July 12, 2022, the Office submitted a letter of intent to participate in the BEAD program through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). On August 15, 2022, the Office submitted the program proposal, Prosperity Through a Connected Florida. DEO's Office of Broadband was awarded $5 million for an Initial Planning Grant to create the 5-year action plan for the submitted proposal.
Digital Equity Planning
Digital Equity Planning Grant
Digital Equity Planning Grant (DEPG)
The DEPG identifies barriers to Digital Equity (defined as the condition in which individuals and communities have the information technology capacity necessary for full participation in society and the economy) within the state and creates strategies for overcoming them. This is done by promoting digital equity, supporting digital inclusion activities, and building capacity for efforts related to the adoption of broadband. In November 2022, the DEO Office of Broadband was awarded $2,407,223.57 by the NTIA. This funding opportunity provides the state with the resources necessary to fully research and create a plan to reduce or eliminate these barriers through crafting a comprehensive map and data-driven Digital Equity plan (or Florida Digital Adoption and Use Plan), aligning with the Florida Strategic Plan for Broadband, and the BEAD 5-Year Action Plan.
In crafting the plan, the state will compile a current broadband asset inventory, including municipal, regional, and Tribal digital equity plans and strategies for incorporation within the final state plan, and identify current resources, programs, and strategies that promote digital equity funded privately or publicly. The plan will lay out an implementation strategy and anticipated timeline to ensure each covered population achieves universal access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet connection, including availability of affordable devices, digital skills training, technical support, and digital navigation.