Northern Sussex and Passaic counties in New Jersey are set to receive a $50 million federal grant to enhance high-speed internet access. The grant will fund the installation of fiber optic cables in towns such as Hardyston, Lafayette, Montague, Sandyston, Wantage, and West Milford, where less than half of households currently have access to high-speed internet.
The funding is part of the state's Broadband Infrastructure Deployment Equity program and a larger $523 million 'Internet for All' initiative across New Jersey. The program aims to complete 'last mile' connections, referring to the final leg of the telecommunications networks that deliver services to customers.
U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer announced the funding on Tuesday (May 28), emphasizing the importance of broadband as an essential utility. 'Broadband is an essential utility now. It's as necessary as water, sewer service, electricity,' Gottheimer said.
The grant will allow nonprofits, cooperatives, utilities, internet providers, and municipalities to seek funding to help build the infrastructure. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year, enhancing services like internet, cable TV, alarm systems, and online doctor visits.
Robert Boyle, owner of Planet Networks, an internet provider and installer, expects the 'last mile' work to be completed by the end of the year. Once the street and road lines are in place, customers will have access to not only cable television and internet service, but also to additional services that rely on high-speed connections such as burglar and fire alarm systems and closed-circuit television.