“The internet is necessary infrastructure that is essential for Vermonters to stay safe when they shelter at home during a crisis, such as the COVID-19 emergency,” said June Tierney, the Commissioner of the Department of Public Service. Today, the Department released a draft of its Emergency Broadband Action Plan, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The draft plan lays out a strategy and action steps for how to get internet service to the nearly 70,000 business and residential locations, or about 23% of the state, that presently do not have access at speeds at or above 25/3 Mbps. Broadband is defined as 25/3 Mbps. Universal access to broadband will help improve the lives of those who struggle to access needed services, telecommute, learn remotely or access telemedicine.
The Department welcomes public comments regarding the Plan. Comments may be submitted to the Department by email to psd.telecom@vermont.gov or by mail to the Department of Public Service, 112 State St. Montpelier, VT 05620-2601. Comments may also be given at the next Telecommunications and Connectivity Advisory Board meeting scheduled for May 21, 2020 at 10 a.m. Information about that meeting will be posted on this webpage in advance of the meeting. Comments are due by May 26, 2020.
For more information, please see the press release regarding the Emergency Broadband Action Plan, or the Department's webpage about the Plan.