Montgomery County has received a grant from the Internet Society to expand broadband access in underserved areas of the county, according to a press release.
Montgomery Connects MoCoNet, the county’s digital equity program, will receive $175,000. It will create a partnership with Older Adults Technology Services, the Housing Opportunities Commission, and affordable housing developer APAH.
Senior Planet Montgomery also will be involved in the effort to provide diverse, low-income older adults with 100 Mbps MoCoNet broadband, Emergency Connectivity Fund devices and digital skills training.
The grants, provided by the Truist Foundation under the Truist Expanding Potential in Communities program, are intended to support community networks built, owned, and operated by local governments and organizations.
The Internet Society “supports and promotes the development of the Internet as a global technical infrastructure, a resource to enrich people’s lives, and a force for good in society,” according to its website. “Our work aligns with our goals for the Internet to be open, globally connected, secure, and trustworthy. We seek collaboration with all who share these goals.”
After a long period of debate and public input, the County Council last year passed a zoning text amendment intended to facilitate deployment of small-cell antennas to provide 5G wireless technology.
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