The sudden shift to working and learning from home during the pandemic highlighted the value of electricity, as well as the importance of affordable, reliable broadband. Millions of Americans are living in a “digital divide,” with limited or no access to reliable internet. Electric companies are well-positioned to help address the challenge of broadband inequity and are working to identify opportunities to leverage their fiber investments to provide middle-mile broadband infrastructure, in partnership with telecommunications companies and last-mile internet providers. This is a win for all stakeholders, particularly customers and communities in underserved and unserved areas.

 

On this episode of Electric Perspectives, we are joined by Alan Bradshaw, vice president of strategic partnerships for Dominion Energy, who will discuss Dominion Energy’s projects and partnerships to expand broadband access to customers. Then, Mississippi Public Service Commission Commissioner Brandon Presley, who recently also served a term as president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, joins Brad Viator, EEI’s vice president of external affairs, to discuss broadband policy and national efforts to bridge the digital divide.