New Jersey secured $263.7 million in funding from the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program to provide affordable, high-speed internet access to unserved and underserved communities, according to a Friday announcement from U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone’s office.
Pallone (D-6th Dist.) played a key role in securing the money, made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, last Congress as the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, emphasizing his commitment to ensuring that every New Jerseyan has access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet.
“This isn’t just about improving internet speeds — it’s about ensuring that New Jersey is fully connected and ready for the future,” Pallone said. “Whether it is helping local businesses grow or expanding access to telehealth, this investment is going to open doors for economic growth and innovation.”
This BEAD funding will enable New Jersey to expand its broadband infrastructure, targeting approximately 43,324 unserved and 29,212 underserved locations, as identified by the Federal Communications Commission’s National Broadband Map. The state’s Office of Broadband Connectivity, under the Board of Public Utilities, will lead the program’s rollout over the next five years, with the goal of closing connectivity gaps in both urban and rural areas.
