Tennessee’s plan to bring internet connections to more than 43,800 locations across the state has cleared another hurdle to unlocking $403 million in federal and service provider matching funds to expand broadband infrastructure.
The approval, announced Monday by the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration, is the second-to-last oversight decision from the federal government before the state can begin signing contracts with service providers.
In a statement, Arielle Roth, assistant secretary of commerce for communications and information and the National Telecommunications and Information administrator, announced that 50 of 56 proposals from states and territories had been approved.
“This milestone reflects the vision set by Secretary (Howard) Lutnick — a program driven by competition, efficiency, skin in the game and better results for consumers,” Roth said. “NTIA is working diligently with states and territories to get the remaining six final proposals over the finish line so that we can deliver on our goal of universal connectivity for the United States, once and for all.”