Georgia’s Department of Transportation is eying potential expansion of broadband into rural communities, according to officials.
GDOT’s statewide broadband project aims to install 1,400 miles of broadband infrastructure along all Georgia interstates in the years ahead. A portion of the broadband infrastructure, once the project is completion, will be dedicated to Georgia DOT’s traffic operations with additional capacity reserved for commercial use to provide “faster, more reliable broadband access” for communities, households and businesses in 70 Georgia counties, officials with the department announced Monday.
“Expanding broadband access throughout Georgia is critical to bridging the digital divide, ensuring that rural and underserved communities can access essential online services for education, healthcare and economic opportunities,” GDOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry said. “This expansion also brings with it the added benefit of modernizing our transportation infrastructure, enabling innovations like connected vehicles and smart traffic systems to improve safety and efficiency.”
In partnership with Plenary Broadband Infrastructure (PBI), PBI will maintain the broadband network infrastructure for GDOT’s traffic operations as well as operate, maintain and commercialize the broadband network for commercial use.
PBI will issue payments to GDOT based on the revenue generated from the commercialization of the network, according to officials.
“This is an innovative approach to project delivery and financing that leverages the private sector to meet the state’s transportation and broadband infrastructure needs,” McMurry said.
For more information about GDOT’s statewide broadband project and the agreement, visit the November 2024 State Committee meeting to view a recent presentation over the plan.