FCC

Broadband Progress Hasn’t Closed the Digital Divide, Analysts say

The event examined the legacy of the Telecommunications Act of 1996

Kate Keith

Kate Keith

— 3 min read
Broadband Progress Hasn’t Closed the Digital Divide, Analysts say
Photo from left: Harold Feld, senior vice president at Public Knowledge; Drew Garner, director of policy engagement at the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society; Francella Ochillo, professor at Johns Hopkins University; and Shawn Bone, senior policy executive and corporate advocate at Verizon.

WASHINGTON Sept. 23, 2026 — A major telecom law passed 30 years ago is running into modern problems.

The Class of '96: Legacy of the Fight to Close the Digital Divide panel featured Drew Garner, director of policy engagement at the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society; Shawn Bone, senior policy executive and corporate advocate at Verizon; and Francella Ochillo, professor at Johns Hopkins University.

CTA Image

Sign Up for FREE for Section A of '150 Years of American Telecommunications'

Sign up for FREE for Section A
Post tagged in
FCC Public Knowldge Digital Divide Drew Garner Benton Institute for Broadband & Society Shawn Bone Verizon Francella Ochillo Johns Hopkins Harold Feld ACP

Read more

Popular Tags

Rachel Goodman: Baseless Election Interference Threats from the FCC FCC Broadband Breakfast Course Traces 150 Years of American Telecommunications Broadband's Impact California Accepts BEAD Funding, But Disputes Trump White House Conditions BEAD California Accepts BEAD Funding, But Disputes Trump White House Conditions NTIA AT&T, AST Complete First Handoff Between Terrestrial and Satellite Networks AT&T Argentina’s Milei Pitches a Regulation-Free AI Haven at the End of the World Donald Trump