Broadband, Wi-Fi Services Will Be Extended To More Than 500 Households In Howard County

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Broadband will be extended to 85 percent of currently unserved households with the implementation of public Wi-Fi and broadband in Elkridge to 100 houses and broadband expanded to 462 homes in western Howard County, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced Monday at a news conference.

“With our Transform Howard initiative, we’re investing in public Wi-Fi, expanding broadband and ensuring reliable internet services to often overlooked areas,” Ball said. “These transformational projects will cover 85 percent of households that currently don’t have stable internet access. When we bring reliable, affordable and fast internet access to every household, we are improving the education, health and economic opportunities for all Howard County residents."

Three projects are moving forward that will provide internet access to previously under- or un-served areas:

• Elkridge Mobile Home Park will receive free public Wi-Fi for 88 households and approximately 225 residents through a partnership with the Howard County Library System and a county investment of $65,000 in CARES Act funding.
• 12 households at Norris Lane will be connected to broadband through a partnership with the Office of Statewide Broadband and Verizon and an investment of $100,000 in American Rescue Plan funding.
• Mount Airy/Lisbon/Western Howard County will receive expanded broadband access for 462 households through a county commitment of $500,000 and a federal partnership with the Rural Development Broadband ReConnect Program.

A recent survey of Howard County residents showed leaders that their use of internet-connected computers and other devices for school and education went from 36 percent to 59 percent. Telemedicine and health online usage increased from 28 percent to 81 percent. Using computers and internet access for telework went from 17 percent to 63 percent.

“These days internet is not a luxury; rather, it is a necessity,” Norris Lane resident Marisa McCurdy said. “While not in virtual school any longer, my kids still regularly struggle with assignments due to downloading speeds and other impediments. I have a legal practice and started working exclusively from my home over four years ago - satellite internet made the situation manageable but certainly not ideal. If I never hear ‘it’s glitching again’ it’ll be too soon.”