While telehealth is an instrumental tool in expanding access to health care for underserved localities, demographics and others in need, it’s nearly impossible to conduct without access to broadband – for both providers and patients. And in today’s day and age, it is an essential need for quality living. That’s why the state of Virginia has invested in Commonwealth Connect, the Commonwealth of Virginia’s comprehensive effort to achieve universal broadband access, a goal set by Governor Ralph Northam in July 2018.
During a recent VTN webinar, Deputy Broadband Advisor Kyle Rosner shared with us an overview of broadband initiatives in the Commonwealth, including new funding approved during the General Assembly’s Special Session in August. That funding allocated $700 million to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for broadband, speeding up Governor Northam’s goal of creating universal broadband in Virginia to 2024.
Solving the Digital Divide in Virginia
Today, there are 233,500 underserved localities in Virginia with limited or no access to broadband, down significantly from 2018 when efforts first began and it was estimated that there were upwards of 500,000 underserved locations.
“Building infrastructures in these rural areas is not profitable to larger companies,” Rosner shared during the webinar. “That’s why the Commonwealth decided to step in.”
And the impetus to solve this digital divide came from many angles. From an economic lens, communities without broadband were being left behind, failing to attract and retain business. Socially, residents needed to be immersed in what is now a digital culture – especially during the pandemic when many were left isolated from the world. This led to moral motives. No person should be forced to live as a second-class citizen without access to electricity, and the same should go for broadband.
As professionals working hard to make healthcare more accessible to those in need, one angle resonated most: creating access to broadband and the impact it would have on expanding access to health.
Creating Universal Broadband by 2024
During the webinar, Rosner dives into how his team is working to make this happen and the resources being offered to local governments and infrastructures, including direct grants, policy solutions and local planning support.
“Virginia is empowering localities to take the lead in their community,” shared Rosner. “They are on the ground and know what the needs are locally.”
The Virginia Department of Housing and Community’s Office of Broadband has full time local assistance staff ready to help, equipped to support with locating and sourcing ID incumbent broadband providers, federal funding, ISP partners and more. And these efforts all are supported by 135 members of the Commonwealth Connect Coalition.
During the webinar, Rosner also dives into funding, grant programs and how these programs are structured, what’s to come and how this could impact telehealth.
Access a recording of the webinar to get the full download on the latest in Virginia’s efforts to create universal broadband here. The recording is free for VTN members.