Off the News: Expanding broadband service

Baby steps were taken last week on digital equity, with the signing of laws that invest millions to expand broadband access. Among these: $7 million for a new Department of Education digital learning center to improve online-education delivery, plus $360,000 to staff a new Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office.

But a mega move forward got stalled, as $200 million didn’t materialize, due to what Gov. David Ige called an over-allocation by legislators of federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. Let’s hope he’s right in expressing confidence that the state will be able to obtain more federal money later to expand broadband service.