By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | December 2, 2025

Georgia is set to receive more than $300 million in new federal funding to expand high-speed internet access across the state, marking one of the largest broadband investments in Georgia history.

U.S. Senators Raphael WarnockandJon Ossoff announced the funding Monday in Washington, secured through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. The money will be distributed through the Georgia Technology Authority (GTA) to local contractors to build out new fiber networks in communities that still lack reliable service.

State leaders estimate that 15% of Georgians still do not have dependable broadband — a barrier that affects families, students, farmers, and small businesses across rural and underserved counties.

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A Major Push Toward Full Connectivity

Senator Warnock said the investment moves Georgia closer than ever to 100% statewide broadband coverage.

“This federal investment means life gets easier for hundreds of thousands of Georgians,” Senator Warnock said. “You need a broadband connection to do just about anything. You can’t even farm without a broadband connection.”

Warnock also criticized delays by the Trump Administration in releasing federal broadband dollars earlier this year, saying he will continue pressing for all remaining BEAD funds to be released quickly.

Senator Ossoff called the funding “a major next step” for Georgia families and businesses.

“Our historic bipartisan infrastructure law continues to deliver for Georgia,” he said. “This is about ensuring every Georgia family and business has high-speed internet.”

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Where the Money Will Go

Under the BEAD program, the new $300 million will be used to:

• Build fiber broadband in unserved rural counties
• Upgrade outdated networks in underserved areas
• Expand affordable access programs aimed at low-income households
• Support construction jobs and local contracting across the state

The Georgia Technology Authority will allocate funds to providers capable of installing fiber in areas where service is slow, unreliable, or non-existent.

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A Long Legislative Trail to Today’s Funding

Senator Warnock has made broadband expansion a signature priority:

• In 2024, he toured OFS Fitel in Norcross with former Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to highlight Georgia’s role in fiber manufacturing.
• He urged the FCC to expand theE-Rate program to allow Wi-Fi hotspot lending by schools and libraries.
• In 2022, he hosted then-FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel in Jackson County to spotlight rural internet needs.
• Alongside Senator Luján, he pushed for strong federal rules to prevent digital discrimination by internet providers.

Senators Warnock and Ossoff also announced $1.3 billion in BEAD funding for Georgia in 2023. In May 2025, both senators demanded the Trump Administration release the delayed BEAD funds—setting the stage for this week’s announcement.

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Why This Matters for Rural and Urban Georgia

The expansion is expected to help:

• Farmers who depend on broadband for precision agriculture
• Students completing homework and online learning
• Small businesses that rely on digital payments and online tools
• Seniors using telehealth services

For many counties, especially in South Georgia and parts of Appalachia, fiber broadband is still years away without federal help.

Monday’s announcement marks one of the strongest steps yet toward closing that gap.

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