Frontier is passionate about rural broadband. To achieve our mission of a digitally connected future that benefits all Americans, we committed to leverage our infrastructure and expertise through the FCC's Connect America Fund (CAF) program. To date, with the support of federal, state, and local officials, we have connected more than 270,000 households and small businesses across 29 states. We are proud to share how Frontier's recent CAF broadband deployments are changing lives in two great American communities: Bonners Ferry, Idaho and Desert Hot Springs, California.
Bonners Ferry, Idaho
In September 2017, Frontier completed broadband deployment to Bonners Ferry, Idaho – a rural community of approximately 2,500 people. The access to high speed internet is already helping to level the digital playing field. Despite this rural location, award-winning high school science teacher Ed Katz created a world-class robotics and career preparation program that put this small community's students on a national stage experimenting with next-generation technology. CAF investment helped make this possible, as highlighted in this video, showing how an enterprising teacher and class can use broadband to prepare for the industries of the future:
Desert Hot Springs, California
On October 20th, 2017, joined with Representative Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) and Borrego Health, a community health care provider, Frontier Communications celebrated the opening of a new computer lab for grade school students at the Desert Hot Springs Community Health Center and expanding broadband to 6,750 households in Desert Hot Springs, California. Long a champion for increased broadband, Representative Ruiz serves on the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology and explained the importance of bringing internet to unserved areas:
"The internet can be the great equalizer for communities that are disadvantaged and underserved, but people need access to high-speed broadband to unlock this potential. That's why I have made it one of my top priorities to deliver expanded, quality broadband infrastructure to our entire region, and I have been proud to work with Frontier to achieve just that.
"With expanded access to the internet, families, students, children, workers and businesses will be able to harness the power of their ideas and information to achieve their dreams and succeed. Our region is one of the fastest growing in the state, and this investment in broadband is critical to realizing the opportunities that will continue to grow our economy."
