I had the opportunity to work with ETS this summer and have learned some new things about internet access, as well as federal and state funding to improve broadband internet access in Idaho. ETS is a tech company that serves the Magic Valley. They are a very innovative and collaborative company that is a partner/coordinator for the Idaho BEAD Program, which is the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment grant, that is funded through the state Idaho Office of Broadband within the Idaho Department of Commerce. I assisted ETS with the Magic Valley Coalition of Counties, and their implementation of expanding broadband in their rural communities. The grant has many phases and components. I assisted with marketing for current internet users to complete speed tests to verify their current internet speeds, to fulfill the challenge process within the grant requirements that assists in ensuring and replacing current services with improved ones.

I spent the remainder of my summer actually in the rural towns knocking on doors and informing residents that new OpenAccess Idaho fiber optic lines will be installed in their community this fall. The residents have the opportunity to receive a free fiber optic line dug from the new main line to their home, which sets them up for a quick and easy install with the service provider of their choice. I was knocking on doors and leaving informational material so the residents can take advantage of this opportunity. I learned that these new fiber optic lines will be owned by the respective county, and the OpenAccess allows for multiple internet service providers to utilize them, which will not only increase speeds but will help with costs for internet plans. I also did this by attending the Lincoln County Fair and participating and handing out materials in the Camas County Fair parade.

Overall, through the summer I was able to gain valuable insight into how rural communities currently have internet access, the affordability issues that can arise in rural areas, and the grant funding opportunities available to counties from state and federal agencies. I also got to work with some smart and wonderful people in rural towns that I have never visited before.