
Minnesota Broadband
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Free Sign up Minnesota BroadbandEmpowering Rural Alberta with an Open Access FTTH Network
The Council adopted a multi-year Open Access
program to deliver county-wide high-speed connectivity.

The Need for Ongoing Network Performance Monitoring by U.S. States
Establishing Best Practices for U.S. State Broadband Program Accountability

Protecting The Nation's Critical Communications Infrastructure From Theft & Vandalism - Fall 2025
Fiber cuts and related acts can paralyze critical operations, creating cascading disruptions that may affect millions of citizens simultaneously.

The 5G Promise Falls Short of Reality: Examining Economic Impact Claims
To protect economic and public safety interests, regulators, legislators, law enforcement, municipalities, and communications providers must work together.

BEAD State Directors Recognize Progress But Still Have Issues
State directors warn of gaps and tight timelines.

States Race to Meet Federal Broadband Funding Deadline
States race to meet a federal deadline for the $42.5 billion BEAD program amid dramatic cost reductions.

Private Equity Sees Profits in Power Utilities as Big Tech Seeks More Energy
Private investment firms that are helping finance America’s AI race and the huge buildout of energy-hungry data centers are getting interested in the utilities that deliver electricity.

States Revise Tentative BEAD Awards
Minnesota revealed that costs per passing above $10,000 required written justification.

Gigapower Expands Fiber Buildout, Prepares for Second ISP
AT&T–BlackRock joint venture serves nearly 70 communities in six states.

Minnesota Told to Take Broadband Future Into Its Own Hands
Gigi Sohn urged state leaders to look to local, community-led networks as models.

States Report Major Cost Savings in BEAD Broadband Proposals
State officials reported big cost savings and varied tech plans as most raced to meet the Sept. 4 BEAD deadline.

As More States Post Draft BEAD Plans, Fiber Still at Two-Thirds of Locations
Two more states posted plans for public comment Thursday afternoon – Tennessee and North Carolina – bringing the total to at least 30.

More Than Half of States Posted New BEAD Plans Ahead of Key NTIA Deadline
Some states received extra time beyond Sept. 4.

FCC Asked to Strike Down Broadband Exclusivity Deal
Intrepid says five year right-of-way lockout violates federal and state law.

Minnesota LFAs Demand Clarity from Trade Groups
Another LFA calls out trade groups.

29% of Minnesota Locations Received No Bids For BEAD
Minnesota Broadband Director Bree Maki cited decreased participation from fiber providers

Lumen Defaults on More Than 41,000 RDOF Locations
Telecom giant offers no reason for relinquishments

Midco Acquires SCI Broadband
Deal will drive further fiber broadband deployment.

Where Fiber Doesn't Fit
There are a variety of technologies to consider for environments where fiber isn't a viable option

Minnesota Close to Extending Broadband Safety Certification Deadline
New legislation allows laborers to continue broadband deployment unimpeded

Maine’s BEAD Plan Delayed, Triggered by NTIA’s New Policy Direction
NTIA is expected to issue revised BEAD guidance in mid-May, Maine says.

Willmar, Minnesota Moves Forward With Open Access Fiber Network
The city promises options ranging from symmetrical 300 megabits per second to symmetrical 1 gigabit per second.

Minnesota: Keep BEAD Fast and Grounded in Local Expertise
State seeks shot clock for federal reviews and greater trust in state-led broadband plans.

Minnesota’s Broadband Expansion Faces New ‘Roadblock’
Two industry leaders warn state training mandates could stall projects, threaten rural access.

Minnesota County Closes in on 100% Gigabit Fiber Coverage
Since 2013 CarverLink has used a combination of public and private collaborations, along with county, federal and partner funding.

Sean Gonsalves: States Should Consider Adopting Affordable Broadband Laws
Massachusetts is advancing legislation to provide $15 monthly broadband service to low-income residents.

State Broadband Leaders Speculate BEAD Future Under Trump Administration
More than half reveal permitting challenges, tariffs, and labor shortages threaten to impact BEAD rollout.

Minnesota Providers Not Participating in BEAD Program
Telecom alliance struggles to gauge members' waiver needs and overall interest.

NTIA Approves $12 Million in Digital Equity Funds for Minnesota
Funds are intended to jump start the state’s digital equity plans

Minnesota State Broadband Advocacy Tip: Talk to Staff
Relationships with staffers can be helpful when engaging government officials, experts said.

One BEAD Requirement Making You Nervous? Ask for a Waiver
"An application with a waiver in there is something I can look at," said state broadband officer.
Midco Says it Should Keep Unsubsidized Competitor Status
Adjacent providers say they had subsidy awards reduced because of a misclassification.

NTIA Approves Initial BEAD Proposals for Four More States
BEAD has $42.45 billion to fund broadband deployment projects.

What Broadband Leaders Need to Know About Recruiting New Workers
Beyond Teenagers: In addition to teenagers entering the workforce, we also need to serve adults who are ready to upskill.

Exclusive Series: AT&T, T-Mobile Bet Big on Open Access
Once staunch opponents of open access, Tier 1 ISPs are now entering a space traditionally dominated by municipalities.
Exclusive Series: Municipal Broadband and Open Access
More than a third of the 700 communities served by municipal broadband do so with an open access network.

AT&T Announces Wholesale Agreements with 4 Open Access Fiber Providers
Big telecom carriers are racing to expand their fiber footprints.

Chicago Diary: What I Saw at the Democratic National Convention
The struggle to balance corporate influence and grassroots demands was prominently felt at the DNC in Chicago.
FCC Opens Review of Arvig, BEVCOMM Broadband Support Claims
The Minnesota companies said a local competitor does not offer voice service.

Harris Pick Walz Just Signed Law Favorable to Muni Broadband
Walz has been lauded for his commitment to infrastructure development and broadband expansion in Minnesota.

T-Mobile, KKR Acquire Fiber ISP Metronet
The joint venture deal is set to close in 2025.

Intrepid, Tillman Fiber Secure Combined $1B Debt Financing
The money for fiber networks comes from French financial services company.

Fiber Provider Invests $21M In Minnesota Network
Communities will be serviced with speeds of up to 10Gbps.

Federal Municipal Network Support Declining, Warns Experts
Despite initial federal support, funding programs are not supportive of municipal broadband.

Midwest ISPs Say FCC Error Means Loss of Broadband Subsidy Support
The companies say they're losing out on $2.5 million annually because of a misclassified competitor.

Minnesota Clears Path for Community-Owned Broadband
Minnesota's repeal of laws blocking municipal broadband ensures local governments can participate in the upcoming $42.45 billion BEAD grant program.

Minnesota Broadband Organizations Call for Changes to State Broadband Legislation
The organization says that Article 10 will raise costs, increase bureaucracy, and decrease investments in broadband

FCC Hits Pause On Bank Ratings Firm After Hearing Concerns, Complaints
For one year, FCC won't use Weiss ratings for banks' letters of credit of RDOF, CAF II winners.

Minnesota, Oregon Make Moves on State Broadband Programs
Minnesota began accepting applications for its $50 million program. Oregon finalized guidelines for awarding $149 million from CPF.

Burden of Proof in Challenge Process Should Be on ISPs: Local Government
Only a single public institution provided feedback on ways the FCC’s broadband data collection initiative could be improved.

President Biden Touts Broadband Expansion Efforts in Wisconsin Visit
Broadband was part of the reelection campaign's emphasis on infrastructure.

State BEAD Challenge Process Requires Outreach Coordination
ISPs can’t be expected to understand all program rules and processes, event hears.

NTIA Awards More Planning Grants, 10 GHz Band for Fixed Wireless, WISPA Warning on Digital Discrimination Inquiry
The NTIA approved eight more planning grants Monday.

Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Utah to Receive Nearly $1 Billion in American Rescue Plan Funds
The states will use their funding through the Capital Projects Fund to connect more than 180,000 homes and businesses.

Christopher Mitchell: Former Sen. Heitkamp’s Attacks on Gigi Sohn for FCC are Wildly Off-Base
Former North Dakota senator sounds practical, but she is misreading quotes or taking them out of context.

Broadband Offices Concerned About Uncertainty in Compliance with Federal Program Requirements
Minnesota’s broadband office is concerned about federal compliance in the wake of new federal funding.

USTR Criticizes Canadian Digital Tax, Pew Report on State Broadband, Fiber in the UK
The United States Trade Representative is concerned about Canada’s proposed tax of online services.

Minnesotans Yearn for Connectivity in Small Cities Not Traditionally Considered Rural
A league of municipalities rep told Senator Amy Klobuchar that some small cities with lots of tourists need connectivity.

State and Regional Broadband Initiatives Are Critical to Expanding Internet Access
September 24, 2020 — Many states have taken action to speed the deployment of broadband to unserved and underserved regions by developing statewide broadband programs that typically include funding commitments, legislative initiatives, and provide access to other inventive resources. “States play a

House Votes to Ban TikTok, Revising Broadband Speed Goals, Rural Mississippi Infrastructure Investments
July 21, 2020 — The House voted to ban TikTok, an app owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance, on federal devices due to concerns that the personal information of U.S. representatives could fall into the hands of Chinese government officials, Politico reported. Lawmakers voted 336-71 on Monday to pass

Adoption of Cloud Computing in Municipalities Aids Public Health, Transportation and Safety
July 17, 2020 — Adoption of cloud computing services by public entities impacts many civic sectors, said local officials on Wednesday. In an Amazon Web Services webinar, local representatives from Louisville and Minneapolis detailed how cloud services helped spur innovation in their respective munic

Broadband Maps Largely Unreliable, Say Panel Members
May 20, 2020 — Broadband Breakfast Live Online panelists on Wednesday said that current broadband maps are insufficient and that they are harming the people they are meant to serve. The forum was an opportunity for participants to describe the state of broadband in their respective areas as well a

Commerce Department’s NTIA Details Its New-Found Progress in Broadband Mapping Technology
WASHINGTON, March 20, 2020—The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunication and Information Administration is moving forward with various forms of broadband mapping, agency officials said on a Wednesday webinar. Even without having federal funding to do a comprehensive national broadband map, as

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Broadband Roundup: Global Internet Censorship, Tribal Divide, Klobuchar on the Broadband Stump
A report published by tech.co on Wednesday ranks and categorizes the countries with the highest internet censorship. Among the reports most salient findings: Turkmenistan, North Korea, and China earned the top three spots, in decreasing order of censorship. Many popular vacation destinations like Vi

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

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

Next Century Cities Highlights State Action for Broadband, Co-Sponsors Broadband Conference in Idaho
Next Century Cities this week highlights broadband programs in five states, in advance of the “West Central Mountains High Speed Internet Conference” on May 17 in McCall, Idaho. The Friday event is being co-sponsored by the West Central Mountains Economic Development Council and Next Century Cities.

Alaska
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Virginia
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Alabama
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American Samoa
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Arkansas
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Connecticut
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Delaware
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District of Columbia
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Florida
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Guam
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Hawaii
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Idaho
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Illinois
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Indiana
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Iowa
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Kansas
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Kentucky
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Louisiana
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Maine
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Maryland
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Massachusetts
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Michigan
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Mississippi
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Missouri
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Nebraska
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Nevada
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New Hampshire
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New Jersey
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New Mexico
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New York
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North Carolina
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Montana
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