Independent contractor to assess broadband service

Berks County is taking a look at local broadband services.

At the final meeting of the year, the commissioners approved hiring an independent contractor to provide broadband consulting services and conduct a network feasibility study in partnership with the Berks Alliance, the United Way of Berks County and the Wyomissing Foundation.

Lit Communities, an Alabama-based builder of technology infrastructure, will provide a quantifiable assessment of the broadband access and availability to residents and businesses in the county.

County officials said the results of this study will be used to apply for state and federal dollars to improve access and availability of broadband services. The study is expected to take about six months to complete.

It is expected that the nonprofit organizations working with the county are providing $79,000 to fund the study, while the county will contribute nearly $178,000 using funds it received from the American Rescue Plan.

The study comes on the heels of the passage of a $1.2 trillion federal infrastructure bill, which includes a massive investment in the country’s broadband infrastructure that aims to narrow the digital divide.

Pennsylvania will receive a minimum allocation of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage across the state, including providing access to at least 394,000 Pennsylvanians who currently lack it. And about 23% of people in Pennsylvania will be eligible for the Affordability Connectivity Benefit that helps low-income families afford internet access.