Louisiana Broadband Access Grows to 44,000 New Locations

The GUMBO 2.0 program is delivering high-speed internet at three times the national average rate across 64 parishes.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Telecommunications

Bold vector editorial illustration of fiber optic cables laid in a marshy soil trench, representing state-led broadband infrastructure expansion. — Louisiana's GUMBO 2.0 broadband program has expanded high-speed internet access to 44,000 additional locations across the state since December 2023. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Between December 2023 and December 2025, Louisiana added over 44,000 homes and businesses to its served broadband count. The state-led effort, part of the GUMBO 2.0 program, reports that deployment speed is now more than three times higher than the national average.

Why it matters

Expanding rural internet access is critical for economic development and essential service delivery across the state. This accelerated deployment marks a significant effort to bridge the digital divide in historically underserved parishes.

The GUMBO 2.0 program, backed by $1.36 billion in funding, is currently active across all 64 Louisiana parishes. Over 90% of previously unserved locations in North Louisiana are now approaching high-speed internet access.

The players

ConnectLA

The Louisiana Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity tasked with overseeing the state's internet infrastructure expansion and GUMBO program deployment.

The details

The GUMBO 2.0 (Granting Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities) program utilizes state and federal funding to subsidize the infrastructure costs for private ISPs to deploy high-speed internet. The initiative specifically targets "unserved" locations—areas lacking reliable broadband—by providing grants that bridge the gap between deployment costs and potential subscriber revenue. ConnectLA, the governing office, manages these contracts to ensure infrastructure build-outs cover previously excluded geographical pockets.

December 2023: The statewide broadband growth period began.
December 2025: The growth period concluded for the reported figures.

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The Tech Race

Louisiana's deployment strategy follows the national infrastructure priorities set by the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. This state-led push acts as a benchmark for rapid rural fiber rollout compared to states still in the planning phases of their own grant allocations.

Homeowners and businesses in the 64 participating parishes that were previously unserved may now have access to high-speed connections. Residents can verify their updated eligibility or service status through official state portals.

The takeaway

Louisiana has successfully accelerated its infrastructure deployment to three times the national average speed using $1.36 billion in program funding. Interested parties should monitor the progress of remaining North Louisiana build-outs for final completion timelines.