LINCOLN — Changes to Nebraska’s federally funded broadband expansion plans that Gov. Jim Pillen celebrated as a victory faced questions and criticism from state lawmakers and others concerned it will hinder internet quality.

The Nebraska Legislature’s Transportation and Telecommunications Committee heard an update Thursday from the Nebraska Broadband Office on the status of broadband expansion in Nebraska.

The update came a day after Pillen announced that just $44.5 million of the $405 million Nebraska was awarded through the federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program would be used to connect unserved Nebraskans. Pillen said an additional $21 million in pledged private investments would support reaching the remaining 2% of Nebraska households and other properties still waiting to gain access to a broadband connection.

The Pillen administration plan has received initial approval for its approach, but approval of the actual spending requires an additional step of federal approval, a Pillen spokeswoman said Wednesday night. “This is a tremendous victory for Nebraska,” Pillen said in a statement. “Reliable broadband is essential for daily life, from schoolwork and healthcare to running a business or managing a farm. With this approval, rural Nebraskans who have been left waiting will finally have access to the same online opportunities and services as everyone else.”

For the full article, click HERE.