About Us
The Office of Broadband works with local and state government agencies, community organizations and private businesses to increase the availability and effectiveness of broadband internet throughout the state, specifically in small and rural communities. Through these partnerships, the Office encourages investment in grant funding opportunities for the broadband program that focus on the expansion of broadband.
Directives
Under section 364.0135, 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, especially with community members from the areas of education, healthcare, business, tourism, agriculture, economic development and local government; and
- Participating in the Federal Communications Commission proceedings that are related to the geographic availability and deployment of broadband internet in Florida.
In state fiscal year 2022-2023, up to $5 million annually through the Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, administered by the Department of Transportation, may be used for projects that assist in the development of broadband infrastructure within or adjacent to a multi-use corridor. Priority will be given to Rural Areas of Opportunity as designated under section 288.0656, Florida Statutes.
Survey on the Availability and Accessibility of Broadband Internet
The Florida Office of Broadband is conducting a three-minute survey to gather data about the availability and accessibility of broadband internet across the state. 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.
Take the Survey on the Availability and Accessibility of Broadband Internet Service
Florida Broadband Virtual Workshops
The Florida Office of Broadband has partnered with the Florida Regional Councils Association to host 10 virtual workshops where participants will discuss broadband internet accessibility. Industry sector and community leaders within each region have been invited to participate. These industry sectors include education, healthcare, private business, community organizations, agriculture, tourism, parks and recreation, economic development, local governments and internet service providers. For a list of all upcoming virtual workshops, view the Virtual Broadband Workshop Details. If you would like more information on the meetings and how to listen in, please contact Katie Smith with the Florida Office of Broadband at Katie.Smith@deo.myflorida.com.
To provide more information on the regional virtual broadband workshops, the PowerPoint presentations and recordings are available below.
State of Florida Minimum Internet Download Speeds Map
The Florida Office of Broadband has created a State of Florida Minimum Internet Download Speeds Map using Federal Communications Commission (FCC) data. Since January 2015, the FCC has defined Broadband Internet as download speeds greater than 25 Megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of 3 Mbps. The map identifies the served, underserved, unserved and lack of fixed internet service in all Florida communities based on the census block’s minimum internet download speed. The map shows the broadband internet speeds up to 25/3 Mbps of each census block.
Learn more about available FCC data:
- Data for the map is provided by the Federal Communications Commission from June 2019.
- Minimum and maximum download speeds for each census block are reported by Internet Service Providers as required by the Federal Communications Commission on Form 477.
- Data is for fixed internet service only. Satellite and mobile data is not included.
- For a detailed explanation of broad deployment data, visit the Federal Communications Commission’s Explanation of Broadband Deployment Data.
- For information on download speeds in other states, visit the National Broadband Map.
*** The State of Florida and the Department of Economic Opportunity are not responsible for the accuracy of the information shown on this map.
Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Auction Award Update
The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) is a Federal Communications Commission program designed to close the digital divide in the United States by investing in the construction of rural broadband networks. Through an auction bidding process, more than $191 million over a 10-year period was awarded to 10 broadband providers in the state of Florida. View the Bidder Results Summary by State. You may also view the Awards by Levels of Service Associated with the Winning Bids Map. The service tier is based on download speed, upload speed, usage allowance, and latency.
DEO proudly promotes the RDOF program and Florida broadband providers' participation in the program; however, the funding is not awarded through DEO. If you have additional questions about the program, please contact the Federal Communications Commission directly.
State and Federal Funding Opportunities
Entities interested in expanding broadband in their communities may apply for the following funding opportunities. The below opportunities are updated regularly.