On Tuesday, January 07, Governor Wes Moore signed an executive order establishing the Digital Infrastructure Group.
The Digital Infrastructure Group will be led by Eric Bathras, Chief Technology Officer for Infrastructure at the Department of Information Technology, and work in partnership with the Maryland Department of Transportation, and the Department of Housing and Community Development. The goal is to help increase internet coverage, boost state revenue through resource-sharing agreements with private sector Internet service providers, eliminate financial inefficiencies, and bridge the digital divide across the state.
“We are uniquely positioned to lead the nation’s first state Digital Infrastructure Group,” said Maryland Department of Information Technology Secretary Katie Savage. “Our in-house expertise combined with cutting-edge geospatial platforms and existing infrastructure will give us the tools to plan and coordinate infrastructure development effectively. We will transform from a reactive and uncoordinated system to one that optimizes taxpayer dollars and even gives the State opportunities to boost revenue from major ISPs and cellular carriers.”
For example, the Group will use a detailed data map of public sector broadband assets through DoIT’s in-house geospatial platform, called “the Single View.” Many private sector ISPs use Single View platforms to visualize, plan, and coordinate resources effectively. This innovative platform will be an in-depth, visual data dashboard that will help DoIT effectively manage assets and identify opportunities for resource-sharing programs. Resource-sharing programs allow private sector ISPs and cellular carriers to use state-owned broadband assets for a fee, feeding back into the state’s budget.
This new national standard in broadband coordination and investment offers transformative potential for rural and underserved counties. For more details, see the full executive order here