Crosscut Now
Jan. 19, 2023 - Can a $42B plan close WA's digital divide?
1/19/2023 | 1m 15sVideo has Closed Captions
Can a $42B internet expansion plan close WA's digital divide?
After billions in telecom subsidies, it may take a new public approach to connect some 'last mile' areas like rural Grays Harbor County to broadband.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Crosscut Now is a local public television program presented by Cascade PBS
Crosscut Now
Jan. 19, 2023 - Can a $42B plan close WA's digital divide?
1/19/2023 | 1m 15sVideo has Closed Captions
After billions in telecom subsidies, it may take a new public approach to connect some 'last mile' areas like rural Grays Harbor County to broadband.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship(inquisitive music) - I'm Starla Sampaco in the "Crosscut" KCTS 9 newsroom.
(gentle curious music) Wifi connectivity often remains out of reach in parts of rural Washington.
During the pandemic, this created additional challenges for schools in Elma.
- Knowing that certain students didn't have internet or capability, we were making paper-pencil packets at work.
And then me knowing my seniors that needed classes in order to graduate, I would make the copies and deliver 'em to their houses, knock on their doors.
- One tally by Microsoft estimates as many as 120 million people have no or slow internet access.
The federal government has paid telecom giants like AT&T and CenturyLink tens of billions of dollars in subsidies to close those gaps.
But some have continued to collect payments without meeting promises on expanding their networks.
(inquisitive music) I'm Starla Sampaco.
To learn more, visit Washington Recovery Watch on crosscut.com.
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Crosscut Now is a local public television program presented by Cascade PBS