About Us
The Office of Broadband works with local and state government agencies, community organizations and private businesses to increase the availability and effectiveness of broadband internet throughout the state, specifically in small and rural communities. Through these partnerships, the Office encourages investment in grant funding opportunities for the broadband program that focus on the expansion of broadband.
Directives
Under section 364.0135, Florida Statutes, the Office of Broadband is responsible for:
- Developing, marketing and promoting broadband internet services in the state;
- Creating a strategic plan to increase the use of broadband internet services in the state;
- Reviewing and verifying public input regarding transmission speeds and availability of broadband internet services throughout the state;
- Building and facilitating local technology planning teams, especially with community members from the areas of education, healthcare, business, tourism, agriculture, economic development and local government; and
- Participating in the Federal Communications Commission proceedings that are related to the geographic availability and deployment of broadband internet in Florida.
In state fiscal year 2022-2023, up to $5 million annually through the Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, administered by the Department of Transportation, may be used for projects that assist in the development of broadband infrastructure within or adjacent to a multi-use corridor. Priority will be given to Rural Areas of Opportunity as designated under section 288.0656, Florida Statutes.
State of Florida Minimum Internet Download Speeds Map
The Florida Office of Broadband has created a State of Florida Minimum Internet Download Speeds Map using Federal Communications Commission (FCC) data. Since January 2015, the FCC has defined Broadband Internet as download speeds greater than 25 Megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of 3 Mbps. The map identifies the served, underserved, unserved and lack of fixed internet service in all Florida communities based on the census block’s minimum internet download speed. The map shows the broadband internet speeds up to 25/3 Mbps of each census block.
Learn more about available FCC data:
- Data for the map is provided by the Federal Communications Commission from June 2019.
- Minimum and maximum download speeds for each census block are reported by Internet Service Providers as required by the Federal Communications Commission on Form 477.
- Data is for fixed internet service only. Satellite and mobile data is not included.
- For a detailed explanation of broad deployment data, visit the Federal Communications Commission’s Explanation of Broadband Deployment Data.
- For information on download speeds in other states, visit the National Broadband Map.
*** The State of Florida and the Department of Economic Opportunity are not responsible for the accuracy of the information shown on this map.
Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Auction Award Update
The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) is a Federal Communications Commission program designed to close the digital divide in the United States by investing in the construction of rural broadband networks. Through an auction bidding process, more than $191 million over a 10-year period was awarded to 11 broadband providers in the state of Florida. View the Bidder Results Summary by State.
DEO proudly promotes the RDOF program and Florida broadband providers' participation in the program; however, the funding is not awarded through DEO. If you have additional questions about the program, please contact the Federal Communications Commission directly.
State and Federal Funding Opportunities
Entities interested in expanding broadband in their communities may apply for the following funding opportunities. The below opportunities are updated regularly.