Indiana Awarded Funds for Rural Internet Access

The state broadband program will connect 28 households across 15 counties to high-speed service.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Telecommunications

Bold vector editorial illustration showing a bundle of fiber-optic cables on a wooden utility pole against a rural landscape. — The Indiana Broadband Office has awarded $133,943 in new funding to expand high-speed internet access to 28 households across 15 rural counties. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Indiana Broadband Office has awarded $133,943 to expand internet availability in its latest funding round. This investment marks the 18th phase of the state's Connectivity Program, which aims to provide critical infrastructure to rural locations.

Why it matters

Broadband access is essential for modern connectivity in rural Indiana, where many residents still lack reliable internet. This program bridges the digital divide by incentivizing providers to serve underserved areas through an application-based model.

The 18th round of the Indiana Connectivity Program provides $133,943 to connect 28 households across 15 counties. Participating broadband providers are contractually required to complete these infrastructure projects within nine months.

The players

Indiana Broadband Office

This state agency is responsible for overseeing the expansion of internet access and managing the Indiana Connectivity Program to support underserved regions.

The details

Unserved or underserved property owners initiate the process by entering information into the program's online portal to signal a need for service. The program has now reached more than 3,600 households, businesses, and institutions across the state.

September 23, 2026: The Indiana Broadband Office announced the results of the 18th round.

The Tech Race

The Indiana Connectivity Program mirrors the competitive grant model used in the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program to address rural internet gaps. These initiatives reflect a broader national shift toward treating high-speed internet as essential utility infrastructure.

Residents in the designated 28 households will gain access to high-speed internet, enabling improved remote work, education, and digital services. Successful applicants will see their connectivity infrastructure built out within the mandated nine-month completion window.

The takeaway

Reliable high-speed internet is increasingly viewed as a requirement for participating in modern economic life. Property owners in underserved areas should regularly check the state's online portal for new application windows as subsequent rounds are announced.