Frontier Eyes $1 Billion in State Grants to Boost Rural Internet Access

Frontier Communications is poised to pursue a significant share of Arizona’s Broadband Equity, Access and Development (BEAD) grant, which totals $993 million. The Mohave County Board of Supervisors is set to vote on a motion supporting this initiative during their meeting on Monday.

Launched this year, the BEAD program, managed by the Arizona Commerce Authority, aims to enhance broadband internet access in rural Arizona, which has historically faced challenges in connectivity.

The Mohave County Board has previously backed similar funding requests from local entities, including Mohave Electric Cooperative, in collaboration with TWN Communications, and Allo Communications. These endorsements align with the county’s ongoing efforts to bolster high-speed internet across the region.

A resolution drafted for the Board highlights that many parts of Mohave County still lack adequate broadband services. The proposed support for Frontier underscores the company’s previous achievements in establishing fiber optic networks within the county, providing vital connectivity to local residents.

In the past, the state has facilitated broadband improvements with $10 million granted to Kingman-based WeComm and $3 million to Allo Communications for expanding infrastructure in areas like Lake Havasu City and Kingman.

In 2021, the urgency of this issue prompted Supervisor Travis Lingenfelter to suggest a $4 million investment in broadband infrastructure enhancements, funded through the American Rescue Plan Act.

The anticipated vote by the Mohave County Board of Supervisors on Frontier Communications’ BEAD funding request underscores a crucial step toward closing the digital divide in the region.