Louisiana is closing the digital divide at among the fastest rates in the country. According to the latest FCC Broadband Data Collection, Louisiana had the fourth-highest proportional growth in the country. Veneeth Iyengar, the executive director of ConnectLA, says Louisiana more than tripled the national average in broadband access increase.
“Between June of 2025 and December of 2025, 52,000 households, small businesses, communities and institutions now have service with speeds of greater than 100 by 20,” Iyengar said.
Iyengar says whereas other states could take as long as six years to fully close the digital divide, Louisiana is on pace to do so in just two more years.
“A couple of years ago, the state was 65% served with internet; by the end of last year, it was 92% served. By the end of this year, 95%; by the end of next year, we’ll be close to 97.5% and by the end of 2028, 100%,” Iyengar stated.
Iyengar says the best part is that this local issue is being solved by local providers.
“80% of our dollars for the GUMBO 2.0 program, which is federal funds from the infrastructure bill, are going to Louisiana companies. 60% of those dollars are going to Louisiana contractors,” Iyengar noted.
More information can be found at connect.la.gov.