Garrett County Government is committed to expanding rural broadband connectivity to its citizens and businesses throughout the county. The goal is for all residents and businesses to have access to and use of information and communication technologies. Currently around 6,000 addresses still lack access to high-speed internet.
The Affordable Connectivity Program (formerly known as the Emergency Broadband Benefit) helps low-income households pay for internet service and connected devices like a laptop or tablet.
Click here to see if you qualify, and sign up to receive broadband service, which can include satellite service and hot spots, at a reduced cost. Then check with your participating provider:
To learn more about our broadband expansion efforts, visit our Press page.
Our county has worked for years to connect our critical infrastructure (schools, hospital, county services, etc.) The county then started working on broader broadband issues, targeting business, organization, and residential access. An original feasibility study was completed in 2012. The study concluded that a public-private partnership using fixed wireless technology (TV White Space [TVWS] and other unlicensed spectrum) is the best solution for the rugged, remote areas of Garrett County. The County partnered with a private Internet Service Provider to deploy this project. To learn more, visit the Historic Efforts page.
A more recent updated study assessed the addresses still in need of service, as well as suggested efforts to reach those addresses. The final study will be published soon.
The County continues to seek and apply for funding to help all area Internet Service Providers to expand their service areas to include unserved addresses in Garrett County. From finding funding for middle mile expansion projects to assisting with infrastructure extensions to businesses and homes, the County remains committed to helping Internet Service Providers reach the remaining unserved customers in the county.
Garrett County is a National Digital Inclusion Alliance Affiliate Member, committed to digital inclusion.
