Connecticut Cites Progress in Closing Digital Divide, Expanding Internet Access

The State of Connecticut’s goal is to achieve universal broadband access and close the digital divide. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) recently released the 2024 Connecticut Broadband Report, which details progress made during the past year.

Authored by DEEP in consultation with the Commission for Educational Technology, the Office of Consumer Counsel, and the Office of Policy and Management, the report evaluates the state’s efforts to expand broadband availability, adoption, and affordability, while addressing key challenges to digital equity.

Connecticut General Statutes § 16-330c requires DEEP to produce the report biannually and present it to the governor.

“Expanding broadband has been a team effort, and I’m proud of the progress we are making together,” Governor Lamont said. “Still, our mission isn’t complete. We’ll keep working with communities, businesses, and local leaders to guarantee that everyone in Connecticut, no matter where they live, can benefit from the opportunities high-speed internet provides. As technology evolves, so must we. Ensuring every resident can access fast, reliable broadband will remain at the heart of our efforts moving forward.”

The report catalogues what are described as significant milestones in Connecticut’s journey toward its goal of ensuring broadband internet speeds of 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) download and 100 megabits per second (Mbps) upload for all residents.

Notable achievements highlighted include:

·         $28 million in grants to expand internet access: In October 2024, the state announced $28 million in grants to extend broadband access to more than 3,000 unserved and underserved locations. A second round of grant applications is currently underway, reinforcing the state’s commitment to closing service gaps.

·         Fewer homes without internet options: Since 2022, the percentage of homes lacking basic broadband speeds (25 Mbps/3 Mbps) has dropped from 1.7% to just 0.4%. This progress has been tracked by six semi-annual data collections and enhanced serviceability insights enabled by state and federal legislation.

·         More access to gigabit-speed internet: By mid-2024, nearly 850,000 locations statewide had access to gigabit symmetrical broadband – a dramatic increase from 2022, when few residential and small business locations had access to these speeds and performance quality. The proportion of locations meeting the state’s gigabit-speed goal rose significantly, with only 13% left to reach, compared to 62% in 2022.

·         Lower costs, more choice: The number of locations served by a single provider dropped by approximately 60%, from more than 500,000 in 2022 to 202,226 in 2024. Increased competition has contributed to improved service quality and more affordable pricing options for residents.

·         More families and businesses getting online: Connecticut’s household internet subscription rate now stands at 92.2%, supported by targeted initiatives to overcome price and nonprice barriers. Community-centered events have been instrumental in addressing disparities, and the state’s comprehensive Digital Equity Plan will continue to drive progress in the coming years.

“We’ve dramatically expanded the availability of gigabit-speed broadband to nearly 850,000 locations statewide by mid-2024. We’ve increased basic access to 99.6% of Connecticut households and improved adoption to 92.2% of homes where broadband is available. We are well on our way to closing the broadband access divide once and for all,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes, noting that has been using historic levels of federal funds for broadband to make Connecticut one of the most connected states in the country.

The report also highlights the ongoing outreach efforts and anticipated grant funding to support additional connections and foster digital literacy through statewide programs. While challenges remain, the report notes, the steady progress reflects the strength of Connecticut’s strategic interagency collaboration and targeted investments.