Senator Reverend Warnock led four members of Georgia's congressional delegation in calling on the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to release nearly $1 billion in already-approved federal funding to support increased broadband access and internet-dependent services in Georgia

The funding is part of the $1.3 billion announced by Senator Warnock in June 2023 to expand access to affordable, high-speed internet across Georgia thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Georgia plans to use the funding to upgrade emergency services, improve telehealth resources, expand the use of precision agriculture, increase cell coverage, and establish device access and education programs

Senator Warnock and lawmakers: "Georgians are tired of political agendas and bureaucratic delays denying their communities 21st century connectivity and technology upgrades. It is past time to put shovels in the ground, deliver next-generation connectivity to unserved and underserved communities, and close the digital divide in Georgia"

ICYMI from AccessWDUN: Sen. Warnock urges Trump Administration to release internet infrastructure funding

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) is calling on the Trump Administration to release nearly $1 billion in already-approved federal funding to expand broadband access, cell service, and emergency services in Georgia. Senator Warnock is joined in the effort by four members of Georgia's congressional delegation. The letter is supported with information from the Georgia Technology Authority (GTA).

"We write to express our deep concern with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA) lack of clarity with respect to $1 billion in funding currently being withheld from Georgia. It is the State's intention to use these funds for critical safety and connectivity improvements that align with both federal and state priorities. Therefore, we urge you to refocus on closing the digital divide in Georgia and release these funds immediately," Senator Warnock and the lawmakers said.

The funding is part of the $1.3 billion announced by Senator Warnock in June 2023 to expand access to affordable, high-speed internet across Georgia thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In December 2025, Senators Warnock and Ossoff announced over $300 million of that federal funding coming to Georgia to close the state's digital divide; funding is distributed to various local contractors by the GTA to build out the state's broadband network. The remaining $1 billion for Georgia is part of a $42 billion nationwide investment designed to connect all Americans to high-speed, reliable internet. Per law, in addition to funding traditional broadband infrastructure, leftover funding can be used to help local communities utilize enhanced internet access for workforce development, telehealth, cybersecurity, and digital literacy.

The lawmakers continued in their letter: "GTA aims to use leftover BEAD funding to upgrade 911 connectivity service; improve telehealth resources for seniors, veterans, and children in rural areas; expand the use of precision agriculture technologies to increase farm yields; establish device access and education programs to increase economic output; and much more."

Following Senator Warnock's leadership, the effort to release the federal funding to Georgia was co-signed by Representatives Sanford Bishop (D-GA-02), Hank Johnson (D-GA-04), Lucy McBath (D-GA-06), and David Scott (D-GA-13). The lawmakers closed the letter by noting how Georgians are tired of politics and delays getting in the way of securing this key funding to expand internet access.

"Georgians are tired of political agendas and bureaucratic delays denying their communities 21st century connectivity and technology upgrades. It is past time to put shovels in the ground, deliver next-generation connectivity to unserved and underserved communities, and close the digital divide in Georgia. We urge NTIA to release all non-deployment funds immediately."

Senator Warnock is a champion for strengthening broadband access for Georgians across the state. In December 2025, Senators Warnock and Ossoff announced over $300 million of that federal funding coming to Georgia to close the state's digital divide. In 2024, Senator Warnock visited the Georgia-based optical fiber manufacturer OFS Fitel with former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo after helping to ensure next generation fiber will continue to be made in Georgia. He also led an effort urging the FCC to expand the E-Rate program, which would allow schools and libraries to provide Wi-Fi hotspots to students and educators. Additionally, in 2022 the Senator hosted former FCC Chair Rosenworcel in Jackson County. Senator Warnock has also worked with Senator Luján to urge the FCC to prevent digital discrimination by facilitating equal access to broadband internet through its rulemaking process. In June 2023, Senators Warnock and Ossoff announced $1.3 billion in federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. In May 2025, the Senators demanded the Trump Administration release funding for states under the BEAD program.

A copy of the letter can be found HERE and text is below:

Dear Assistant Secretary Roth,

We write to express our deep concern with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA) lack of clarity with respect to $1 billion in funding currently being withheld from Georgia. It is the State's intention to use these funds for critical safety and connectivity improvements that align with both federal and state priorities. Therefore, we urge you to refocus on closing the digital divide in Georgia and release these funds immediately.

On June 6, 2025, NTIA issued its Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program: BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice, which required the Georgia Technology Authority (GTA) to remove its fiber preference and rerun its initial grant round. This restructure ultimately reduced the cost of infrastructure subawards but further delayed the deployment of broadband service promised to Georgians over four years ago. We were glad to see NTIA approve Georgia's updated final proposal on November 18, 2025, and we hope that this represents the final administrative hurdle before delivering new broadband connections across Georgia and providing our communities with the tools and infrastructure they need to be competitive in the 21^st century.

Unfortunately, NTIA's policy notice also paused nearly $1 billion in authorized funding for critical safety and connectivity improvements designed to complement the deployment of new broadband connections in Georgia. In accordance with the BEAD program, GTA conducted outreach with local governments, community organizations, industry and workforce organizations, and other stakeholders to identify the highest "non-deployment" broadband needs in Georgia. Informed by these efforts, GTA aims to use leftover BEAD funding to upgrade 911 connectivity service; improve telehealth resources for seniors, veterans, and children in rural areas; expand the use of precision agriculture technologies to increase farm yields; establish device access and education programs to increase economic output; and much more. However, the June 2025 policy notice explicitly withheld pre-approved funding for these projects, and your comments on October 28, 2025 cast further doubt on whether Georgia will ever receive this essential funding that Congress has authorized and appropriated. As a result, Georgians continue to live without critical technology upgrades that help save lives and spur economic growth.

Georgians are tired of political agendas and bureaucratic delays that deny their communities 21^st-century connectivity and technology upgrades. It is past time to put shovels in the ground, deliver next-generation connectivity to unserved and underserved communities, and close the digital divide in Georgia. We urge NTIA to release all non-deployment funds immediately.

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