The applicants underground fiber project (the project) will facilitate high-speed broadband deployment to currently unserved or underserved areas, improve affordability in already-served markets,…

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) was awarded a $30.9 million project grant from the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration under the Middle Mile Broadband Grant Program (CFDA 11.033). The grant will fund the construction of 69.9 miles of underground fiber optic cable to expand middle mile broadband infrastructure in underserved communities across multiple counties in Maryland. Specifically, the funding will support the installation of new underground fiber optic lines to facilitate high-speed broadband deployment and improve affordability and access in currently unserved and underserved areas. The period of performance for the project is July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2027. No sub-awardees or subrecipient activities were indicated.

Activities

Project will use fiber to build new/resilient middle mile network through unserved and underserved communities with a commitment to open access and carrier neutral non-discriminatory interconnect. The period of performance is expected to be 4 years.

Expected outcomes

The applicants goals and deliverables for the project are: 1. Installation of 69.9 miles of new underground fiber optic cable. 2. Target affordable, high-speed, and high-capacity broadband service to unserved, underserved, economically disadvantaged communities, cais, and local and federal government facilities. 3. Expanded choice for residents and anchor institutions by offering open access middle mile interconnection with reduced barriers to entry for isps. 4. Improved service reliability by deploying 100% underground fiber in conduit with active monitoring.

Intended beneficiaries

Beneficiaries are in the communities of laurel, north laurel, elkridge, columbia, bowie, glen burnie, linthicum and brooklyn park, as each have concentrations of unserved, underserved, and/or poverty-stricken areas and would benefit from more affordable, equitable internet access options. While the federal communications commission (FCC) map suggests that several isps exist in the area, there are still over 8,500 unserved residents and only one provider that offers a low-income or affordable internet option. According to census 2020 data, 65 of the census tracks along or adjacent to the project have over 29,599 residents in total who are considered below the federal poverty line. Additionally, 43 schools along the route have more than 50% of their school populations receiving free or reduced priced meals (maryland department of education, 2021). And, 87,376 residents across anne arundel, baltimore, howard, and prince georges county live in a household receiving supplemental security income (SSI), cash public assistance income, or food stamps/snap in the past 12 months (american community survey 5-year estimates, 2021). Overall, the socioeconomic landscape demonstrates the level of need in the communities that will benefit from the project. Also, the project will enable and strengthen broadband service to 50 anchor institutions, including 20 schools, 2 libraries, 3 healthcare providers, 2 higher education institutions, 9 community centers, 1 police station, 1 fire station, and 12 other institutions. Finally, the project brings value to national security interests in the form of communications redundancy and resiliency for fort meade and federal agencies located near the underground conduit and fiber.