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Broadband Infrastructure
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Planting Crops, and Weeding Regulations, with AI and Agriculture
It's a time of changing seasons in Washington, and in Rural America.
FCC Seeks Public Input on RDOF Amnesty Proposal
Nearly 70 broadband associations have asked the FCC to permit recipients of RDOF and CAF II to relinquish their commitments.
FCC Urged to Grant Amnesty for RDOF Recipients
Almost 70 broadband associations are urging the FCC to allow ISPs who cannot fulfill their commitments to surrender their grants with a lesser penalty.
California Residents Concerned About AT&T Request to Phase Out Landline Service
Nearly 4,000 California residents have expressed that their landline connection frequently acts as their sole means of communication.
Consolidated Fears Losing RDOF Funding Over Bank’s Low Rating
Wells Fargo’s Weiss bank safety rating fell to C+ for Consolidated, one notch below the minimum B- rating required.
FCC Concludes Review of Rural Digital Opportunity Applications with More Defaults
Nearly one-third of the money awarded through RDOF was defaulted on.
Broadband Breakfast on April 3, 2024 – The Promise of Precision Agriculture
Efforts to enhance broadband connectivity on agricultural land are gaining momentum
Precision Agriculture Task Force Seeks Better Broadband Mapping, Rural Priority
The task force, mandated by the 2018 Farm Bill, pushed both the FCC and USDA on mapping and subsidies.
Charter CEO Says Company is Optimistic About Rural Expansion
A rural build required as part of the company’s Time Warner Cable purchase was surprisingly profitable, Chris Winfrey said.
Middle Mile Infrastructure Will be Key to Support BEAD Builds: Experts
Experts cited a lack of middle mile as the biggest obstacle to reaching many unserved areas.
White House Announces Fourth Round of ReConnect: $667 Million
Announcement includes investments in 22 states for 100 * 20 Mbps speeds.
$700M for Rural Internet, New CEO at Starry, Semiconductor Manufacturing Partnership
ReConnect funding will go toward 142 projects expected to benefit 314,000 Americans.
Farm Bill Should Include Higher Broadband Speed Requirements
Congress should increase speed requirements for the USDA’s broadband programs to encourage fiber builds, committee hears.
Bjorn Capens: Strong Appetite for Rural Broadband Calls for Next Generation Fiber Technology
The first operator to bring fiber to a community creates a significant barrier to entry for competitors.
Wireless Internet Service Providers to Connect More Fiber Points as Bandwidth Consumption Increases
‘The only way to get that density is to get fiber out there. That allows you to get more subs with your wireless.’
Republican Congressmen Criticize NTIA, FCC Absence at Farm Bill Hearing
‘Their absence is noted, and it illustrates their indifference towards the needs of rural Americans and our rural communities.’
FCC Commits Additional $800 Million From Rural Digital Opportunity Fund
The authorization comes three weeks after the commission denied funding to Starlink and LTD Broadband.
FCC Denies Funding for Two of the Biggest Winners of Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Money
‘We are continuing to review the letter and are evaluating our next steps,’ LTD said.
Agriculture Department Announces Fourth Round of ReConnect Funding
The announcement is the second round of ReConnect funding in fiscal year 2022.
Appalachian Regional Commission Prepares Communities for Federal Broadband Money
The commission said it is helping communities prepare to apply for some of the $42.5B NTIA BEAD program.
Broadband Breakfast on July 27, 2022 – Bringing Broadband to Rural America: A Case Study in Morgan, Utah
Following up on UTOPIA Fiber’s buildout to Morgan City, we’ll look at benefits of broadband for this rural community
FCC Commissioner Supports Rural Telco Efforts to Implement ‘Rip and Replace’
In remarks at the Rural Wireless Association event on Wednesday, Commissioner Geoffrey Starks reaffirmed the FCC’s goals.
USDA Considering Drawing on Infrastructure Bill Money as ReConnect Demand Increases
The USDA has been allocated $2 billion from the Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act.
Local Governments Provide Valuable Information for Rural Infrastructure Builds
Rural communities vary in broadband needs, making community engagement essential for breaching the digital divide.
Community Development Financial Institutions Funds Prepare for Broadband Infrastructure Funding
CDFI funds are responsible for rural Wyoming broadband and may offer a solution to rural areas across the nation.
FCC Greenlights $200 Million More in Latest Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Round
It’s the ninth wave of funding confirmations, bringing the total amount to more than $5.2 billion to three million locations.
FCC Announces New RDOF Accountability and Transparency Measures, Additional Funding
Results of verifications, audits and speed and latency testing for the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund will be made public.
FCC Announces Largest Approval Yet for Rural Digital Opportunity Fund: $1 Billion
The agency said Thursday it has approved $1 billion to 69 providers in 32 states.
USDA Announces $120 Million in Broadband Infrastructure Loans and Grants
Money comes from the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans and Community Connect programs.
Critics Concerned Infrastructure Bill Money Will Go to Satellites, Harm Fiber Builds
The infrastructure bill’s tech neutrality is concerning critics who say money will go to satellite, not enough to fiber.
Render Networks and Irby Ahead of Schedule on Arkansas Fiber Build
The build is also underbudget, they said.
FCC Announces $163 Million in Second Round of Approved RDOF Funding
The agency is reevaluating winning bids after asking providers to ensure census blocks aren’t already served.
Varying Technologies Needed to Make Widespread Public Library Wi-Fi a Reality
From direct fiber connections to low-earth orbit satellites, libraries can provide public Wi-Fi through varying means.
Christopher Ali: Is Broadband Like Getting Bran Flakes to the Home?
Christopher Ali discusses his solutions to bridge the rural-urban digital divide in his most recent book, “Farm Fresh Broadband.”
Christopher Ali’s New Book Dissects Failures of Rural Broadband Policy and Leadership
“Farm Fresh Broadband” explains the world of broadband policy and provides solutions to bridge the digital divide.
Outreach ‘Most Valuable Thing’ for Emergency Broadband Benefit Program: Rosenworcel
FCC Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel said EBB will benefit tremendously from local outreach efforts.
Ligado and Competitive Carriers Association Talk Unlocking Broadband Coverage at Lunch Event
Broadband Breakfast, in person and for lunch, heard about the possibilities with spectrum sharing and combining technologies for coverage.
How Five States Tackled Broadband Expansion During the Pandemic
Broadband Breakfast revisits what some state legislatures did to narrow broadband gaps.
NTIA Says Billions Requested for Broadband, Starlink Hits Milestone, AMC CEO to Step Down
The NTIA said $2.5B requested for broadband program, SpaceX ships 100K terminals, AMC appoints interim CEO.
Mapping Issues Raised As Major Problem for Connecting Rural Communities, Experts Say
Webinar hears how critical mapping is to bridging the digital divide.
More Companies Are Defaulting on RDOF Money They Won
Defaulters say new FCC mapping data shows areas they bid to connect are already adequately served.
Groups Heap Praise on FCC for Corrective Action on Rural Digital Opportunity Fund
The agency is scrutinizing the winning bids for the $9.2-billion fund, and asking companies to consider withdrawing.
Windstream Focuses on Gigabit Infrastructure for Future Broadband Challenges
Company head says scalable, gigabit future is a priority now to deal with future broadband challenges.
Inflationary Pressures Increasing Difficulty of Closing Digital Divide, Officials Say
Government officials say inflationary pressures may make connecting rural America harder than previously anticipated.
Institutions Must Continue Riding Telehealth Growth Momentum for Post-Pandemic Care
Governments and health providers have an opportunity to carry the momentum of 2020 for telehealth’s future.
John Windhausen: Connecting Anchor Institutions to Broadband Requires Access to Poles
The high cost of pole attachments can deter broadband providers from providing service to the anchor institutions and residential consumers.
Open Access Opportunity for Municipalities to Allay Competition Concerns
Open access provisions in municipal builds could alleviate fears of competition concerns with ISPs.
Two New Broadband Bills, Including One Aimed at Rural America, Introduced in Congress
The bipartisan Hassan-Capito bill would provide state and local governments with new financing options for broadband projects.
Senate Committee Hears High Symmetrical Internet Speeds, Up-To-Date Technologies For Future Of Rural America
NTCA’s Shirley Bloomfield on driving improvements for rural broadband.
In San Juan, Utah, a Snapshot of a School District’s Struggle to Bring Broadband Home
The fight for broadband infrastructure in one Utah community. Is private enterprise the end goal?
Vermont Looks To Expand Coverage, California Moves On Passive Infrastructure, AT&T Gets DoT Contract, Cisco Buys Sedona
Vermont looks to expand broadband, California looks at passive infrastructure, AT&T gets DoT contract, and Cisco to buy Sedona.
Treasury Announces Summer Deadline For Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund
$10 billion dollars are being made available to communities in need to better connect their communities.
Surveying Broadband Issues Faced by Students Under COVID-19, CoSN Offers Its Recommendations
The speed of the broadband service used was only one component of the issues students faced.
Carri Bennet: Biden’s Broadband Plan is Key to Spurring Rural Economic Development, Jobs and Manufacturing
The American Jobs Plan, President Joe Biden’s infrastructure plan, includes $100 billion to ensure broadband availability to every single American at affordable rates. This means building more broadband in rural areas.
Gigabit Speeds: Marketing Spin or A Necessity for the Future?
Experts discuss the short- and long-term need for gigabit speeds.
Accurate Maps Required To Estimate Cost Of Connecting Rural America, Experts Say
Experts say it’s difficult to get an understanding of cost for connecting rural regions without quality maps.
Invest In Local Communities, Center on Rural Innovation Urges Telecom Companies
March 11, 2021 – The Center on Rural Innovation is recommending telecom companies engage with local communities and invest in hyper-local programs. Speaking at the second general session of the National Rural Broadband Association last month, Matt Dunne, executive director at the Center on Rural Inn
Broadband Breakfast Live Online Wednesday, March 31, 2021 – State Broadband Authorities
Panelists include Scott Rudd, Indiana Broadband Office, Teresa Ferguson, Colorado Broadband Office, Matt Schmitt, Illinois Office of Broadband, Kenrick Gordon, Maryland Office of Rural Broadband, Burt Lum, Hawaii Broadband Initiative, Moderated by Drew Clark, Editor and Publisher, Broadband Breakfas
Debate About Fiber Versus Wireless for Rural Broadband Deployments Continues to Percolate
March 4, 2021 – Amid claims that the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund chose winners that may not be able to fulfill their broadband commitments, Vantage Point CEO Larry Thompson said his whitepaper contributing to the discussion wasn’t intended to be critical but to figure out what’s best for quick de
WISPA Responds To Claims Wireless Providers Have Not Demonstrated Gigabit Capabilities
March 3, 2021—Vantage Point Solutions is questioning whether wireless providers can deliver on their contractual obligations following the announcement of $9 billion in federal award for the first phase of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. The concerns, outlined by CEO Larry Thompson in a white pa
Smaller Carriers Serving Rural Communities Need Customer Service to Stand Out
February 25, 2021—Customer service strategies are being used to separate smaller carriers from bigger ones during the pandemic, according to company executives speaking at the third general session Thursday at the conference of NTCA, the Rural Broadband Association. In the session, industry members
Electrical Cooperatives Are the Unsung Heroes of Rural Broadband, Say Broadband Breakfast Panelists
February 18, 2021— Electrical cooperatives that own their own fiber are filling in the broadband gaps that telecoms have left, said panelists at a Broadband Breakfast Live Online event on Wednesday. The locally-owned businesses that have traditionally only provided electricity are now owning their o
Experts Investigating Starlink Are Not Convinced that Elon Musk’s Satellite Project Provides Rural Broadband Solution
February 16, 2021—While SpaceX touts Starlink as the answer to the world’s dearth of broadband coverage, experts are not convinced that it will be able to meet increasing demand. Elon Musk’s SpaceX began launching a constellation of small satellites early in 2018 with the goal of providing affordabl
Providers Increasingly Vocal in Raising Concerns About Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Auction
February 11, 2021—Broadband providers are becoming increasingly vocal in their concerns over some of the winning bidders in the first phase of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund that was completed last year. In late 2019, the Federal Communications Commission announced that it would put more than $2
Representative Pallone Says Committee Charging Through With Broadband Goals
February 10, 2021— House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, D-N.J., said the committee he heads will be focusing on broadband expansion, affordability and adoption. He said that the committee will focus on three primary goals: Universal broadband, particularly insofar that inner-c
FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel Prioritizes Visits to Hospitals in Telehealth Push
February 7, 2021 – Federal Communications Commission Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel on Tuesday made a visit to Children’s National Hospital, and a virtual visit to the University of Virginia, to emphasize the agency’s goals of investing in telehealth strategies, with a specific emphasis on se
Broadband Breakfast Panelists Discuss How Rural Fund Recipients Can Prepare For Efficient Network Builds
December 22, 2020 — With the closing of the bidding in Federal Communications Commission’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund reverse-auction, many across the country are beginning to initiate groundwork for the federally-supported networks that will be deployed or expanded over the next 10 years. To de
FCC to Spend $9.3 Billion on 5.2 Million Broadband Locations as Result of Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Auction
December 7, 2020 – The Federal Communications Commission on Monday announced that it had awarded $9.3 billion in broadband funds (PDF) for rural Americans, over 10 years, through the recently-concluded Rural Digital Opportunity Fund auction. About 5.2 million locations in rural America will now gain
National Telecommunications and Information Webinar Focuses on Broadband Boost to Local Economies
November 19, 2020 – While the business case for rural broadband has been debated, panelists at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s monthly webinar on Wednesday concluded that rural broadband enhances local economies. Mid-Atlantic Broadband was able to establish an open a
Four Failures of the FCC’s Broadband Policy, According to University of Virginia Professor
November 12, 2020 — The failure to connect the rural-urban digital divide in the United States is not one of technology, but of markets, politics, and policy, argued Christopher Ali, associate professor in the Media Studies Department at the University of Virginia, during a virtual presentation whic
With the Goal of Rural Deployment, FCC Adopts 5G Fund and Revises Rules on Wireless Facilities
October 30, 2020 — In addition to considerable discussion about net neutrality at the Federal Communications Commission’s monthly meeting on Tuesday, the commissioners also voted to establish a 5G Fund for Rural America and to further streamline the process for deployment of wireless infrastructure.
Digital Divide is a Real Problem for Rural America, and Many Solutions Are Needed to Solve It
October 12, 2020 – The digital divide is a real problem for rural America, Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA, the Rural Broadband Association, said on Thursday at the Blandin Foundation’s conference on broadband. “People in Washington like to talk about the digital divide, those who have connectivity
Electric Utilities and Rural Coops Are Increasingly Important in Nation’s Broadband
October 2, 2020 – Electric utilities and rural cooperatives are increasingly building out broadband, agreed panelists at last week’s Broadband Communities Virtual Summit. Sheryl Riggs, CEO of Utilities Technology Council, believed that while utilities will probably not surpass other providers to bec
At Broadband Communities Summit, Rural Communities Discuss Many Ways to Finance Fiber Networks
September 30, 2020 – Municipalities are well suited to investment in broadband networks, particularly those in rural areas, said Ben Fineman, president and co-founder of Michigan Broadband Cooperative, at the Broadband Communities Virtual Summit on Thursday. He said that many for-profit broadband pr
Advocates for Rural Broadband Providers Commiserate on Flaws in Federal Approach to Funding
September 23, 2020 – Individuals representing different facets of rural broadband – traditional telecom companies, rural electric utilities, wireless providers and state regulators – on Thursday voiced concerns about aspects of the federal government’s rural broadband programs. Many of these players
At Rural Broadband Association NTCA, Pai Touts Improvements to Rural Broadband Auctions
September 21, 2020—Speaking Thursday at the fall conference of NTCA, the Rural Broadband Association, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai highlighted recently-announced improvements to the upcoming Rural Digital Opportunity Fund auction. The RDOF will provide $20.4 billion over 10 ye
NTCA Conference Highlights Collaboration With Municipalities, Cyber Security, and Supply Chain Woes
September 16, 2020 – Partnerships between local municipal governments and private broadband providers can actually work, according to a panel on “Communities in Need” at Tuesday’s kick-off the rural broadband association NTCA. Some local communities, like Fairlawn, Ohio, have begun taking forward-th
Shirley Bloomfield: Promoting Home Connectivity for Rural Students Through Broadband
The first day of school has always come with a mix of joy and anxiety as students transition from summer fun to books and bells. But the start to this new school year certainly did not look like the last—even for those headed back into the classroom. By the end of the 2019-20 school year, […]
Members of Democratic Caucuses Call to Modernize Broadband for Rural and Tribal Lands
August 19, 2020 — Members of the Rural Caucus and the Native American Caucus of the Democratic Party made calls for modernizing broadband and energy infrastructure during caucus meetings on Tuesday. As part of the Democratic National Convention, members of the Rural Caucus opened their meeting by ob
Pushes to Privatize USPS Threaten the Oldest Universal Communications Network and Efficiency of Mail-in Ballots
August 3, 2020 — The economic fallout resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically worsened the financial condition of the United States Postal Service, necessitating financial relief if it is to continue operating through fiscal year 2020. Analysts predict that the agency will run out of m
House Majority Whip James Clyburn Calls for Closing Broadband’s Rural Digital Divide
June 30, 2020 — “Broadband has got to be the order of the day, going forward,” said Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., during a Tuesday webinar hosted by the Northern Virginia Technology Council. The webinar centered on the leadership Clyburn has exhibited in a slew of arenas, particularly, technology poli
House Rural Broadband Task Force Unveils Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act
June 24, 2020 — House Majority Whip James Clyburn, D-S.C., and other members of the Rural Broadband Task Force introduced the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act on Wednesday. The act would invest more than $100 billion in high-speed infrastructure in areas without comprehensive internet ser
Claims of Broadband Service by Incumbent Providers Renders Minnesota City Ineligible for FCC’s Rural Funds
June 19, 2020 — There is currently considerable buzz around the prospect of obtaining bids from the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, the largest federal initiative to subsidize rural broadband in America to date. However, it is no secret that the rural digital funding will be allotted based off of ma
SpaceX’s Starlink May Be a Candidate for the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, But Will There Be Demand for Service?
June 18, 2020 — SpaceX, an aerospace manufacturer founded by Elon Musk, launched its eighth batch of internet-beaming Starlink satellites into orbit on June 3. The Starlink satellite constellation, which currently consists of 482 low-orbit satellites, holds the potential to deliver high-speed, low
Other Federal Broadband Monies Available Besides the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, Panelists Note
June 17, 2020 — The bidding process to secure a portion of the Federal Communications Commission’s $20.4 billion Rural Digital Opportunity Fund is already underway. But what if your bid is one of those not chosen to receive a piece of the FCC’s rural broadband pie? A number of broadband funding oppo
Optimal Network Strategies Will Increase Chances of Receiving Rural Broadband Funds
June 12, 2020 — For regional operators, the stakes are more competitive than ever, as the Federal Communication Commission’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund auction has significantly accelerated the agency’s efforts to subsidize broadband coverage in unserved areas across America. In a webinar hosted
Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Weighting System Favors Low Latency Technology
June 9, 2020 — The Federal Communications Commission adopted procedures for Phase I of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund auction, or Auction 904, at their open meeting Tuesday. The auction, scheduled to begin October 29, will award up to $16 billion in federal support to existing and prospective br
For-Profit Hospitals Ineligible for Federal Telehealth Funding, Say Panelists on FCBA Webinar
June 8, 2020 — The Federal Communication Commission’s recent initiatives to increase funding for telehealth services, or broadband-enabled healthcare, are not accessible to for-profit hospitals, according to panelists speaking on a Federal Communications Bar Association webinar on May 21. The three
Armed With Broadband, Libraries Are Resuscitating Communities Ravaged by COVID-19
No offense to Melvil Dewey, but what does his system of decimals have on the algorithmic horsepower of the Google search engine?
Application Deadline of July 15 Announced for $16 Billion Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Auction
May 21, 2020 — The Federal Communications Commission announced Monday that it would accept the so-called “short-form” applications for its Rural Digital Opportunity Fund reverse auction beginning on July 1 and continue until July 15. The agency also announced that the auction of the monies for this
USDA Announces Broadband Infrastructure Grants for Rural New Mexico Towns
May 6, 2020 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced $23 million in grant investments for rural broadband infrastructure in New Mexico on Tuesday. The three recipients, Pueblo of Acoma, Penasco Valley Telephone Cooperative and ENMR Telephone Cooperative, will receive the funds through
Why the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund is So Significant, and How to Succeed in Applying For RDOF
TYSONS, Virginia, May 4, 2020 – The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (“RDOF”) is a significant acceleration of the Federal Communications Commission’s efforts to subsidize the construction of broadband infrastructure in rural communities. The FCC has pledged to allocate $20.4 billion of support, over
Federal Government Agencies Provide Broadband and Coronavirus Updates, Including Telemedicine, for Western Region
April 22, 2020— Executives in major federal agencies such as the Departments of Agriculture, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and the Environmental Protection Agency and Small Business Administration provided updates on the economies and coronavirus grant programs for rural
The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Auction Should Favor Fiber Builders, Says Corning Analyst
April 20, 2020— There are aspects of fiber-optic cabling that make the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund auction “very favorable” to the technology, said Kara Mullaley, a market development manager at Corning Optical Communications at a webinar hosted by Corning on Thursday. The Rural Digital Opportuni
CostQuest and The CommLaw Group Join to Host Fine-Grained Webinar on Rural Digital Opportunity Fund
TYSONS, Virginia, and CINCINNATI, Ohio, April 14, 2020 – Marashlian & Donahue, PLLC, The CommLaw Group, and CostQuest Associates have announced a free webinar, “How to Prepare and Effectively Bid in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Auction,” on Tuesday, May 5, 2020, at 12 Noon ET. The webinar will
Precision Agriculture is About Harvesting Data as Well as Harvesting Fields, Say Experts at FCC Task Force Meeting
WASHINGTON, March 25, 2020— “We won’t be calling it precision farming anymore, we’ll just be calling it farming,” announced Ken Sudduth, an agricultural engineer at the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service. Sudduth spoke Wednesday at a monthly electronic meeting of the Federal Communication Commissi
Broadband Communities and Rural Telecommunications Congress Announce Postponed Summit on August 10-13, 2020
March 17, 2020 – Broadband Communities and the Rural Telecommunications Congress have announced that Broadband Communities Summit and its rural broadband track, which were previously scheduled for late April, have been postponed until August 2020 because of concerns associated with the coronavirus.
Senate Advances Legislation Creating Office of Internet Connectivity Within Commerce Department’s NTIA
WASHINGTON, March 12, 2020 – The Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday voted to advance a version of legislation creating a new office with the Commerce Department, and re-authorizing the Federal Trade Commission’s authority to protect consumers from deceptive internet marketing. One bill would es
In Rural Areas, Private Partnerships Waste No Time in Closing the Digital Divide
WASHINGTON, March 4, 2020 – Private partnerships play a more crucial role in rural broadband buildout than all the federal and public programs available to help, said C Spire Senior Vice President of Strategic Relations Ben Moncrief. He was a speaker on Tuesday at the INCOMPAS policy summit and tout
Federal Communications Commissioner O’Rielly and Others Promote Upcoming Uses of NextGen TV
WASHINGTON, February 25, 2020 – Public broadcast experts and Federal Communications Commissioner Michael O’Rielly discussed the special role public broadcasting can play in expanding broadband and promoting education, and projected their hopes for the NextGen TV technology. NextGen TV, formally kno
Poor Broadband Maps and Lack of a Consolidated Voice Hinder Advocacy for Better Rural Internet
While there are helpful strategies to deploy rural broadband on the local level, significant barriers persist, said panelists at a local meeting on broadband in Disputana, Virginia, hosted by local members of Congress Reps. Donald McEachin and Abigail Spanberger, and livestreamed on Thursday afterno
Broadband Roundup: Congress Questions FCC Over Rural Fund, Banning Huawei, T-Mobile/Sprint Merger and Inequality
Over twenty members of Congress sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai on Friday asking for clarification on the changes to the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund announced during the agency’s vote to approve the program on January 30. In a last-minute change, the FCC elim
Registration Available for Rural Broadband Track at Broadband Communities Summit from April 27-30, 2020
Broadband Communities and the Rural Telecommunications Congress have released the agenda for the rural broadband track at the forthcoming Broadband Communities Summit in April 2020. For the tenth year in a row, the non-profit RTC has co-hosted the rural track at the summit, the premier national gath
Chancellor of North Dakota University Proposes a Digital-Cyber Land-Grant Program to Revitalize Rural America
WASHINGTON, February 5, 2020 – The chancellor of a key land-grant university system on Wednesday proposed a way to modernize these universities through a system of digital inclusion aimed at revitalizing the heartland. Speaking at the New American think tank, Chancellor of the North Dakota Universit
Broadband Roundup: State of the Union Rural Internet, Plus State of the States, No More Google Fiber Video
One of the few moments of bipartisan cheering during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address Tuesday night was when he mentioned rural broadband. “I am committed to ensuring that every citizen can have access to high-speed internet, including rural America,” Trump said during the speech,
Trade Group for Independent Broadband Providers Closes Doors After 27 Years of Advocacy
WASHINGTON, February 3, 2020 – ITTA, which called itself “the voice of America’s broadband providers,” closed on Friday due to financial obstacles after over 25 years of advocating for wireline communications. ITTA – which was originally known as the Independent Telephone and Telecommunications Alli
Rural Healthcare Providers Could Be Surprised by FCC’s Recent Changes to Rural Healthcare Program
The Federal Communications Commission’s rural telehealth order of August 2019 was criticized by the Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition in a Wednesday webinar. The FCC’s rural health program has two arms: The healthcare connect fund and the telecommunications program. Jeff Mitchell, at
Broadband Roundup: House Energy and Commerce to Focus on Broadband Maps, Rural Digital Divide Woes, C-Band Sharing
Adding congressional oversight to the growing mix of interest in the broadband mapping debate, the House Energy and Commerce committee announced that the Communications Subcommittee will hold a hearing on “Improving the Nation’s Broadband Maps” on Wednesday, September 11, at 10:30 a.m. in Room 2322
Free Press Denounces Facebook Ads, New Content Moderation, Problems of Broadband Adoption
Ads that describe immigrants of color as an “invasion” violate Facebook’s community standards and should not be allowed to run, according to a Wednesday petition from Free Press. Between January and February, President Donald Trump’s Facebook page ran more than 2,000 ads that used the word “invasion
FCC Authorizes $121 Million in Rural Broadband Funding from Connect America Fund
WASHINGTON, August 12, 2019 — The Federal Communications Commission on Monday authorized over $121 million in rural broadband funding, marking the fourth wave of support from last year’s Connect America Fund Phase II Auction. The funding is expected to bring broadband access to more than 36,000 unse
Tech Groups Push Back on Trump Social Media Bias, Microsoft Calls Rural Broadband ‘Urgent National Crisis,” Huawei Operating System
Public Knowledge, the Computer & Communications Industry Association and TechFreedom on Friday pushed back at the Trump Administration’ reported Executive Order that would appear to require the Federal Trade Commission and Federal Communications Commission to monitor speech on social platforms. Fol
Rep. Bob Latta and Ajit Pai on Robocalls, Rural Massachusetts Projects, John Horrigan Report on Digital Divide
Congress and the Federal Communications Commission are working together to stop robocalls, wrote FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and Rep. Bob Latta, R-Ohio, in an op-ed on Wednesday. Rep. Latta in April introduced legislation that encourages phone companies to automatically block unwanted robocalls, and in Ju
Electric Coop Broadband Partnerships, Deepfake Enforcement, Problems with Hipster Antitrust
A recent report from the CoBank Knowledge Exchange detailed new insights into successful broadband partnerships. The report, written by economists Jeff Johnston and Tom Binet, found that partnerships between Rural Local Exchange Carriers and Electric Distribution Cooperatives are uncommon, but can b
Tackling Broadband Mapping Critics, FCC Orders ISPs to Provide Geospatial Data and Will Implement ‘Crowdsourcing’
WASHINGTON, August 1, 2019 — The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday initiated a new process for collecting fixed broadband data for mapping purposes. The new Digital Opportunity Data Collection aims to replace the current, Form 477-based data collection methodology utilized since 2000, o
Sen. Markey’s CAMRA Act Gains Support, Senators Seek Delay on Rural Health Changes, Groups Oppose USF Cap
Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., announced on Tuesday four new endorsements for the Children and Media Research Advancement Act. This legislation would authorize the National Institute of Health to lead a research program on technology and media’s effects on infants, children, and adolescents. “The lack
T-Mobile/Sprint Merger Settlement Fiercely Criticized by Activists, and Dish Network’s Charlie Ergen is ‘Insulted’
WASHINGTON, July 31, 2019 — The Justice Department’s recently announced settlement on the T-Mobile/Sprint merger has drawn widespread criticism, even though the agreement maintains four nationwide carriers by drawing Dish Network into the marketplace. Dish has fiercely defended its ability to quickl
Panelists Highlight Importance of Accurate Broadband Maps in Closing Digital Divide
WASHINGTON, July 30, 2019 — Closing the digital divide will require a multifaceted long-term solution, and better broadband maps are an essential step towards getting there, said panelists at a discussion hosted by New York Law School and the Federal Communications Bar Association on Tuesday. Indian
Muni Broadband Fare Well in PCMag Study, CenturyLink Intercity Fiber, Facebook and Kids’ Privacy
Locally-run internet service providers offer better broadband than their private sector counterparts, according to a recent study by PCMag. The data shows that six of America’s ten fastest ISPs either involve some form of public-private partnership or were run directly by a local community. “Local n
Maps Still Inaccurate, YouTube Privacy Breach, and Commerce Department Dysfunction
On Thursday, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai urging the agency to utilize public input to fix broadband coverage maps. “The FCC’s maps are still woefully inaccurate, and they are hurting the economy and the people of West Virginia,” said
Pilot Program Will Target Child Mental Health and Maternal Mortality Rates, FCC Says
WASHINGTON, June 17, 2019 — Among the items passed unanimously at the Federal Communications Commission July 10 meeting was the creation of a three-year, $100 million pilot program to support the delivery of telehealth services to rural and low-income Americans. “From chronic disease management to p
FCC Spends $524 Million for Rural Area as House Subcommittee Highlights Problem, New Public Knowledge CEO
The Federal Communications Commission on Monday announced more than $524 million in funding over the next decade to expand broadband access to 205,520 unserved rural homes and businesses in 23 states. Providers will begin receiving funding this month. “High-speed Internet provides access to opportun
FCC Blasted Over Party-Line Decision to Take Education Out of Educational Broadband Spectrum
WASHINGTON, July 11, 2019 — Ignoring recommendations from the Department of Education, several members of Congress, and various broadband advocates, the Federal Communications Commission voted 3-2 on Wednesday to hold commercial auctions for unused portions of the 2.5 Gigahertz spectrum band. The de
Rural Facilities Still Not Using Telehealth, Court Decision on Amazon Liability, and Michigan Grant Program
Nearly a quarter of rural Americans have used some form of telehealth service within the past few years, according to a recent NPR report conducted with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health. The most frequently used telehealth services include receivi
Rural Telecommunications Congress Webcast Series Begins with Focus on Collaboration on Colorado’s Western Slopes
MONTROSE, Colorado, July 2, 2019- Policymakers and providers agree that collaboration is vital to sustaining high-quality broadband in rural communities. However, there is still work that needs to be done to deploy high-speed symmetrical broadband, panelists said Tuesday at a rural broadband webcast
Techies Tout Plan to Share the C-Band and Bring High-Speed Wireless Access to Millions
WASHINGTON, July 2, 2019 — About 80 million Americans in unserved or underserved locations could receive gigabit broadband access through spectrum sharing without harming existing operations, according to research conducted by Jeffrey Reed, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Virgini
Advocates of Dynamic Spectrum Sharing Tout its Role in Helping Close the Digital Divide
WASHINGTON, July 2, 2019 — Allocating more radio-frequency spectrum to smaller providers will make the most difference in helping America to close the digital divide, said speakers at last week’s summit of the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance. The summit brought together policymakers, regulators, academia,
#RuralBroadband: Watch the Livestream of the Rural Telecommunications Congress Event in Montrose, Colorado
MONTROSE, Colorado, July 2, 2019 – The link to the Rural Telecommunications Congress’ “Fueling the Fire of Rural Innovation” webcast is below. The program begins immediately on the webcast. (Photo of panelists chatting before the livestream at the Visitor’s Center in Montrose, Colorado.)
Trump Reports Progress on China Trade, Buildout Act in Senate, and Comcast Debuts Robocall Blocking
Trade negotiations with the U.S. and China are “right back on track,” said President Trump this Saturday at the G20 Summit in Japan. The Guardian reports that after the president met with Chinese general secretary Xi Jinping, he announced that the U.S will not impose further tariffs against Chinese
July 2 Rural Broadband Webcast From Montrose, Colorado, Features Mayor Roy Anderson, Electric Coop, and Entrepreneurs
Join the FREE National Webcast to Hear How Rural America Can Benefit from Better Broadband MONTROSE, Colorado, July 1, 2019 – Join an esteemed panel of visionaries, practitioners and entrepreneurs who have successfully used broadband to advance economic development on Colorado’s rural Western Slope.
On Educational Broadband, Critics Say FCC’s ‘Unfathomable’ Proposal Will Widen Digital Divide
WASHINGTON, June 24, 2019 — Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposed order to permit auction of portions of the 2.5 Gigahertz (GHz) spectrum band has drawn criticism from many outside the agency, including several members of Congress and even the U.S. Department of Education in
US Telecom Touts Progress in Weaving a ‘Fabric’ for Address-Level Broadband Mapping
WASHINGTON, June 20, 2019 – In tackling the nettlesome question of improving broadband mapping, the telecom industry group US Telecom on Thursday showcased recent progress in their pilot program to better detect broadband serviceability. The discussion on a 45-minute webinar focused on how the initi
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai Aims to Further Deploy 2.5 GHz Band of Spectrum for 5G Wireless Networks
WASHINGTON, June 18, 2019 — The Federal Communications Commission will vote in July on whether or not to auction off unused portions of the 2.5 GigaHertz (GHz) spectrum band to advance the deployment of 5G wireless networks. Chairman Ajit Pai said in a statement that the order would “modernize an ou
SiFi Proposes Open-Access Network in Lowell, Ajit Pai on Broadband Farming
SiFi Networks has offered to install and maintain a new fiber optic network in Lowell, Massachusetts—at no cost to the city. This infrastructure would pave the way for new internet service providers to compete with Comcast, which is currently the main internet provider within the city. “Increasing c
Fixed Wireless Could Solve the Digital Divide, if Given the Chance
WASHINGTON, June 12, 2019 — Congress should make it easier for small wireless internet service providers to acquire spectrum and deploy broadband in rural areas, said speakers at a Wednesday panel hosted by the Wireless Internet Service Provider Association. Fixed wireless’ cost-effective deployment
Federal Communications Commission Announces $169 Million in Rural Broadband Funding
WASHINGTON, June 10, 2019 – The Federal Communications Commission on Monday authorized $166.8 million in funding over the next decade to expand broadband to 60,850 unserved rural homes and businesses in 22 states. Providers will begin receiving funding this month. A map of the winning bids is availa
Virginia Tobacco Region Awards $8 Million in Grants, and Senate Passes Broadband Research Legislation
On Thursday, the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission awarded almost 8 million dollars to fourteen counties across rural Virginia for the development of broadband services, reported The News & Advance. Commission Chairman Kathy Byron highlighted the essential role increased broadband ac
Rural Telecommunications Congress Launches Webcast Series Focusing on Rural Broadband Innovation
MONTROSE, Colorado, June 5, 2019 – The Rural Telecommunications Congress, a 22-year-old grassroots organization advocating for better broadband in Rural America, has announced its national “Fueling the Fire of Rural Innovation” webcast series. The free webcast series begins with an event in Montrose
NTIA Database on Federal Projects Released, FCC’s Carr Visits Montana and Wyoming, and New Broadband Study
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration released a comprehensive database of federal broadband programs on Monday. (See also this PDF for the 109-page guide of programs.) The database was created under the American Broadband Initiative’s mandate to expand connectivity for all
House Small Business Subcommittee Takes Testimony on Need for Better Broadband in Rural Minnesota
“The lack of adequate broadband has become a crisis in rural areas,” Isanti County Broadband Task Force Member Greg Carlson said at a field hearing in the rural Minnesota town of Scania on Thursday. The hearing, entitled “Small Businesses and Their Limitations Without Reliable Access to Rural Broadb
With Electric Co-ops, an Opportunity to Change the Politics of Broadband in Rural America
BROADBAND BREAKFAST INSIGHT: This piece by our friend and colleague Craig Settles addresses several issues about co-ops, broadband, and rural economic development being addressed at the Broadband Communities Summit this week in Austin, Texas. Both Craig Settles, the author of this piece, and Tim Mar
Exciting Rural Telecommunications Congress Sessions at Broadband Communities Summit
Don’t missing the exciting program of the Rural Telecommunications Congress in Austin, Texas, from April 9, 2019-April 11, 2019. The program is listed below. To sign up at the Rural Telecommunications Congress rate by visiting the RTC web site, or by visiting the Broadband Communities web site. (Mak
AT&T and Verizon Spearhead Granular Broadband Mapping Program With Address-Level Availability
WASHINGTON, March 21, 2019 – The nation’s leading telecommunications companies on Thursday announced a new broadband mapping pilot initiative that aims to geolocate each address in the country, and link each location with broadband providers that offer service to that address. At a launch event join
How the Farm Bill and the USDA ReConnect Program May Help Narrow a Rural Digital Divide
Editor’s Note: The most recent edition of Broadband Communities Magazine features a special section on rural broadband, including this overview piece about the passage of the Agricultural Improvement Act and the ReConnect. Incidentally, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s series of webinars on the
Broadband, Bluegrass and Beer: How Rural Communities Are Getting Innovative With Broadband Applications
BROADBAND BREAKFAST INSIGHT: Broadband is the baseline for economic development: If you don’t have the former, you won’t have the latter. And for Rural America, this is doubly true. (Read all the way through the article to understand how “Broadband, Bluegrass and Beer” makes it all happen.) It’s gre
Rural Broadband Success Stories to Be Discussed at Broadband Communities Summit
February 20, 2019 – The Rural Telecommunications Congress comes together once every year in Austin, Texas, jointly with the Broadband Communities Summit. Rural broadband issues are very much in the news. Among the topics that will be discussed this year at the summit are “Rural Broadband Success Sto
The Rural Broadband Moment at the Broadband Communities Summit in Austin
February 14, 2019 – Americans love broadband. More accurately, they hate it when they can’t get access to high-speed internet. Right now, Rural America faces a huge crisis, and it isn’t getting better. According to a report, the “American Broadband Initiative,” released yesterday by the U.S. Departm
ReConnect, a Long-Awaited Agriculture Department Broadband Program, Unveiled by Secretary Sonny Perdue
WASHINGTON, December 13, 2018 – The Agriculture Department on Thursday unveiled the details of is $600 million broadband loan and grant program – dubbed “ReConnect” – and which was originally called for by appropriations legislation passed in March. “High-speed internet e-Connectivity is a necessity
Columbia Journalism Review Weighs in, from Iowa, About the Increasing Digital Divide
BROADBAND BREAKFAST INSIGHT: The journalism publication CJR weighs into the below-the-radar-battle over rural broadband, highlighting the now-here prospect of a gaping digital divide between the urban and the rural areas of our country. Iowa: Rural broadband, and the unknown costs of the digital div
On Broadband, California Again Leads the Way in Helping Promote Rural Broadband
BROADBAND BREAKFAST INSIGHT: There’s no question that California courts controversy, in technology and telecommunications as well as many other spaces. However, putting aside the drama over net neutrality, this bill removing restrictions on the public option will aid rural broadband. In particular,
Discussion on Rural Broadband in Maine on Wednesday, September 12
ROCKPORT, Maine, September 3, 2018 – The Maine State Chamber of Commerce teams up with the Telecommunications Association of Maine to host a roundtable discussion on how to overcome difficulties in funding rural broadband. Featured guests include Dana Connors, president of the Maine Chamber of Comme
Community Broadband Efforts Alive and Thriving in Ohio, Maryland and Utah
PITTSBURGH, August 16, 2018 – Big telecommunications providers are not making it easy for communities to step up and offer robust broadband service, even in low-density areas that the private sector has declined to serve for years, according to experts speaking at a July 23 Next Century Cities confe
M-Lab Celebrates 10 Years of Broadband Speed Tests, Discusses Work with Schools and Libraries
WASHINGTON, August 16, 2018 – New measures to improve broadband education and access in schools and libraries were among the innovations in broadband data touted on the second day of a conference last week on Measurement Lab. The 10 year anniversary conference was hosted on August 7 and 8 by the New
Broadband Deployment Updates from Virginia, Kansas, Ohio and Indiana
BROADBAND BREAKFAST INSIGHT: It is great to see this kind of round-up of an array of broadband activities happening throughout the country. It is a reminder that broadband remains a potent economic development issue throughout the country, if not in Washington. Kudos to Smart and Resilient Cities fo
NTIA’s Request for Comments on Broadband Data Spurs Concerns About FCC’s Form 477
WASHINGTON, August 7, 2018 – Many in the broadband industry commenting on broadband availability data exposed the weaknesses of current Federal Communications Commission data – and not only in the data itself but in the process by which it is collected. The Commerce Department’s National Telecommuni
Rural Electric Cooperatives Pose an Obvious Solution for Deploying Fiber to Rural Areas, Says Former FCC Official
PITTSBURGH, July 31, 2018 – Rural electric cooperatives and not “small cell” deployment powered by 5G networks, may be the solution to closing the digital divide, according to Jonathan Chambers, former chief of the Federal Communications Commission’s Office of Strategic Planning. Speaking at the reg
For Robust Broadband in the 5G Era, More Local Control May Be Required
PITTSBURGH, July 30, 2018 – Many broadband experts speaking at the Next Century Cities regional summit here said last week that city jurisdiction should take precedence over federal rules in ensuring impactful broadband deployment. The conference highlighted some of these local voices, eager for bro
BroadbandUSA Webinar on Statewide Strategies Highlighted Role of Community Planning, Libraries
WASHINGTON, July 23, 2018 – In rural America, data-driven tools and libraries are heading efforts to expand broadband access, according to broadband policy experts. On July 18, BroadbandUSA hosted a webinar “Statewide Strategies for Rural Digital Inclusion,” discussing state-level measures to extend
Republicans Talk Rural Broadband, But Oppose Measure Democrats Say Would Help
BROADBAND BREAKFAST INSIGHT: Leading Republican leaders are content to talk up the significance of aiding rural regions by enhancing broadband deployment. But, at least according to this article from The Hill, are actively opposing measures, such as the Community Broadband Act, that Democrats say wo
Public-Private Partnerships, Local Involvement Central to Colorado Broadband Success
WASHINGTON, July 9, 2018 – Colorado broadband officials stressed the importance of public-private partnerships in extending broadband access to unserved Americans in rural areas, and expressed doubts that the so-called fifth-generation wireless standard dubbed 5G will be the answer to closing the di
Smart Agriculture Needs Better Broadband in Rural Areas, Say NTIA Panelists
WASHINGTON, June 26, 2018 – The lack of broadband coverage in rural areas is impeding the agriculture sector from making greater use of “precision farming,” according to experts speaking at a Commerce Department webinar on Wednesday. Speaking at a National Telecommunications and Information Administ
How Delaware is Promoting Better Broadband State-wide, Including in Rural Areas
BROADBAND BREAKFAST INSIGHT: This great piece from a news site devoted to state, county and municipal government tackles what one state is doing in order to advance better broadband throughout its state. All states include a rural component (more or less), and Delaware shows that state-wide broadban
Wireless Infrastructure is One Piece of the Broadband Puzzle for Rural America
BROADBAND BREAKFAST INSIGHT: The role of wireless, which is one key piece of the broadband puzzle for rural areas, will be considered at the New America Foundation on Tuesday at Noon, together with Kelsey Guyselman, policy advisor at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and an ar
More Federal Spending on Rural Broadband Could Come Through Omnibus Budget Bill
BROADBAND BREAKFAST INSIGHT: Rural priorities are again receiving additional emphasis in the draft spending legislation currently before Congress. Though the proposed $600 million is lower than the $2.5 billion that some had been discussing, the pending Trump infrastructure package could allocate st
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross Discuss Broadband at Senate Hearing
WASHINGTON, March 16, 2018 – Questions about how the federal government will be involved in rolling out the next-generation infrastructure for wireless, known as 5G (for 5th generation) remained after a Wednesday infrastructure hearing of the Senate Commerce Committee. “With the rise of the internet
Applications for Municipalities and States to Join Key FCC Intergovernmental Advisory Committee Due Monday
WASHINGTON, March 7, 2018 – Local government officials seeking to offer a corrective tonic on broadband deployment to the Federal Communications Commission may consider applying for the expanded Intergovernmental Advisory Committee. Nominations for the more-than-10-year-old group are due on Monday,
The Rural Telecommunications Congress Program from May 1-3, 2018, in Austin
Rural broadband has never been a more pressing priority for our nation, and now is the time to join the conversation. The Rural Telecommunications Congress (RTC) has an exciting program at the Broadband Communities Summit this year from May 1-3 in Austin, Texas. When you register for the summit usin
Trump Administrations Unveils Details of Infrastructure Incentives, Including Spending on Rural Broadband
WASHINGTON, February 12, 2018 – President Donald Trump on Monday unveiled details of his plan to spur $1.5 trillion in new investment to revitalize the nation’s crumbling infrastructure with a combination of $200 billion worth of matching funds and block grants to be funded from to-be-determined bud
Trump Administration Releases Details of $1.5 Trillion Infrastructure Plan Leveraging $200 Billion in Federal Funds
WASHINGTON, February 11, 2018 – After a year of promises, President Donald Trump on Monday is expected to unveil his long-awaited proposal for revamping the nation’s infrastructure. The plan, which was previewed by a senior White House official over the weekend, is designed to stimulate investment w
Trump Administration Plans to Unveil Infrastructure Principles, Including for Broadband, on February 12
WASHINGTON, February 6, 2018 – The Trump administration will unveil principles for its long-awaited plan to spend $1.5 trillion on revamping the nation’s infrastructure this coming Monday, a White House official confirmed to BroadbandBreakfast.com. Trump alluded to the forthcoming plan during his fi
Leaked Copy of Trump Administration’s Infrastructure Plan Shows Few Provisions for Broadband
WASHINGTON, January 22, 2018 – A leaked document purporting to be an outline of the Trump Administration’s forthcoming infrastructure plan makes few provisions for broadband or other digital infrastructure outside of rural areas. The six-page outline, which was first reported by Axios, bears the tit
Trump Signs Executive Order Expediting Rural Broadband with Federal Lands, Towers and Fiber
WASHINGTON, January 8, 2018 – President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order encouraging rural broadband deployment by speeding up permitting processes for facilities on federal land and allowing wireless broadband equipment to be co-located on federally-owned towers. In addition to the
Trump Administration Turns Focus to Rural Broadband and Dark Fiber at American Farm Bureau Meeting
WASHINGTON, January 8, 2018 – The Trump Administration plans on making increased access to broadband in rural areas a priority as it implements the recommendations of its’ Rural Prosperity Task Force, said National Economic Council Special Assistant for Technology, Telecommunications, and Cybersecur
New Resource from Institute for Local Self-Reliance on Building Fiber in Rural America
BROADBAND BREAKFAST INSIGHT: Once again, the folks at the Institute for Local Self Reliance have produced another standout report on how to get better broadband to those parts of American that are not served by the major incumbents. This report focuses on the role that cooperatives are playing, and
Shirley Svorny: Why the Second-Best Solution – Redefining the Locus of Care – Is Needed for Telemedicine
BROADBAND BREAKFAST INSIGHT: Telemedicine is one of the most immediately needed high-bandwidth broadband applications, and it promises concrete and easy-to-see benefits. Yet its usage had limited by occupational licensing. In this policy report, CATO Institute Adjunct Scholar Shirley Svorny lays out
Wireless Internet Service Providers Pitch Fixed Wireless Technology in Forthcoming Infrastructure Bill
Wireline technologies such as fiber and cable are usually deployed where populations are greater, but areas with less density can best be served with fixed wireless networks for far less money, say WISPA officials.
Sens. Gardner and Hassan Introduce AIRWAVES Act, Greeted Positively by All Sides
WASHINGTON, August 2, 2017 — A pair of senators on Tuesday introduced a bipartisan bill which they hope will improve wireless networks in underserved rural areas of the United States. The aptly named Advancing Innovation and Reinvigorating Widespread Access to Viable Electromagnetic Spectrum (AIRWAV
President Trump Remains Committed to Moving Broadband Through Infrastructure Bill
WASHINGTON, August 1, 2017 — President Donald Trump is committed to moving an infrastructure bill this year despite making little legislative progress towards on other policy goals, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said on Monday. “The President has been very outspoken on the need
New America Foundation Panel Promotes a Hybrid Wireless-Fiber Network Architecture
WASHINGTON, July 28, 2017 – The New America Foundation’s wireless project promoted a hybrid fiber and wireless technology approach at a Tuesday event, “Shared Spectrum as a Fiber Extension,” discussing ways to make high-speed broadband internet more available through an additional 500 megahertz of w
Probing the Roots of How to Bring Better Broadband to Rural Areas
BROADBAND BREAKFAST INSIGHT: Our friend Craig Settles probes the question: How can rural areas get better broadband? Equally important, he provides some concrete examples of where and how it is happening. Broadband and Rural Economices – Maybe Small is Better | Rural communities should set realistic
Rural Broadband Focus Increasingly Necessary in Infrastructure Package, Say Blackburn and Panelists at Brookings
WASHINGTON, July 25, 2017 – Rural areas of Tennessee have lost business because they don’t have access to high-speed internet, Tennessee Republican Rep. Marsha Blackburn said Monday at a panel on broadband infrastructure hosted by the Brookings Institution. Trump was aggressively pushing new infrast
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai Questioned on Net Neutrality, Rural Broadband, During Re-Confirmation Hearing
WASHINGTON, July 20, 2017 – Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai came to his re-confirmation hearing Wednesday with a message that network neutrality regulations were hurting infrastructure investments. The hearing joined Pai, current FCC chairman, with Jessica Rosenworcel, who had be
Spotlight on Advantages of Open Access Networks at Broadband Communities Summit
DALLAS, May 5, 2017 – Open access networks are becoming more real for gigabit connectivity in the United States, according to panelists attending the Broadband Communities Summit here this week. The conference was notable in having numerous, positive discussions of the “three-tiered” model: One enti
Craig Settles: It’s Time for Co-ops To Stand Up and Embrace Broadband
In the battle to deploy broadband, cooperatives (co-ops) can be a decisive force to cover the rural flanks in states with aggressive broadband adoption goals such as California, New York, and Minnesota. In the more rural states, or ones without stated commitments to broadband, co-ops may have to car
Innovative Fiber Financing Through a ‘Broadband Improvement District’ in Ammon, Idaho
DALLAS, May 1, 2017 – One of the biggest puzzles in broadband today is a financial conundrum: Our nation needs next-generation networks everywhere, but advanced internet capacity is spotty at best. One solution to the problem of financing universal broadband networks — on display in Ammon, Idaho — w
How Will the Future of Work Impact Rural Communities? Learn How at Rural Telecom Congress Next Week
DALLAS, April 25, 2017 – What kind of workplaces and economic environment are rural areas likely to experience in the future? At the Rural Telecommunications Congress program here at the 2017 Broadband Communities Summit next week, two of the sessions on Wednesday, May 3, will feature address that q
Riverside County Introduces Broadband Initiative for Area the Size of New Jersey
RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA, April 19, 2017 – At 7,200 square miles, this Southern California county is nearly the size of New Jersey. On April 3, the county put out a “Request for Participants” in an effort to jump-start a $2 billion to $4 billion initiative building a gigabit fiber network. The project
NTIA Press Release for April 19 Webinar on Rural Broadband Adoption and Digital Inclusion
You are invited to join NTIA’s BroadbandUSA team today for a webinar discussing: Strategies for Broadband Adoption and Digital Inclusion in Rural Communities Date: Wednesday, April 19, 2017 Time: 2:00pm ET Overview: This webinar will focus on strategies to promote broadband adoption and digital inc
Twists in the Broadband Mapping Saga, Plus the Need for Good Data Now, at Rural Telecom Congress
DALLAS, April 18, 2017 – Over the past ten years, broadband mapping has gone through many changes. In the beginning, the Federal Communications Commission collected data about high-speed internet access, but didn’t release any local or granular data collected through its semi-annual forms. Through t
Broadband Infrastructure to Rural Areas is on the Move at the Broadband Breakfast Club
WASHINGTON, October 21, 2011 – Rural broadband providers, national union members, federal agency officials and state broadband administrators squared off on Tuesday at the Broadband Breakfast Club’s keynote and panel presentations on “Bringing Broadband Infrastructure to Rural Areas: Where is the Pr
Senate Hears ‘Consensus Framework’ Proposal and Concerns for Universal Service Reform
Thursday October 13th 2011 – As BroadbandBreakfast.com gears up for our panel on “Bringing Broadband Infrastructure to Rural Areas: Where is the Progress?” we have been taking some notes on the FCC’s efforts to reform the Universal Service Fund and listened in on Wednesday’s Senate Commerce Hearing
BroadbandBreakfast.com Hosts Broadband Breakfast Club Event “Bringing Broadband Infrastructure to Rural Areas: Where is the Progress?” Tuesday, October 18th, 2011 in Washington, DC
WASHINGTON, Thursday, October 13th, 2011 – The internet and intellectual property policy news and events service BroadbandBreakfast.com will hold its October 2011 Broadband Breakfast Club event:
“Bringing Broadband Infrastructure to Rural Areas: Where is the Progress?” on Tuesday, October 18th 2011 at Clyde’s of Gallery Place, 707 7th St.
