Fla. Broadband Plan Notes Data, Legal Barriers

A Florida department sent a state broadband plan to Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and legislative leaders Thursday. The Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) said its plan is meant to guide state decision-makers on “investments for the provision of high-speed, reliable broadband Internet service access to all Florida communities in support of telemedicine, education opportunities, workforce development, and community development.” DEO said the document’s “three steps to building a connected economy -- availability, adoption, and use -- support Florida’s resiliency only if Florida’s communities assume primary responsibility for contributing to this effort.” DEO identified deployment barriers including “a lack of detailed data,” U.S. restrictions preventing areas from getting support from multiple federal support programs, and Florida prohibiting state funding in federally funded areas.