Rural
Study: CAF II ISPs Stopped Serving Many Locations After Funding Ended
While not a violation of FCC rules, a former deputy bureau chief said she was surprised to see such a drop off.
BBLO
62% of Americans Have Access to High-Speed 5G, Says New BroadbandNow Map
The company says its map is based on millions of M-Lab speed tests conducted over a six-month period.
Fiber
Missouri City Utility to Complete Fiber Build Using Utility Lease Model
Pioneered with city-owned Huntsville Utilities in Alabama and Google Fiber, the utility lease model makes unlit fibers available to others.
Grid Broadband Bill, Ting Gets Financing, Finley Engineering Has New CEO
A new bill would provide grants to providers who can quickly build middle-mile infrastructure along existing electrical grid system.
Fiber
Community Broadband Networks: Huntsville, Alabama, Shows Benefits of Dark Fiber Networks
Huntsville Utilities has constructed a fiber network to nearly every residence and business but not directly connected the properties.
Infrastructure
The Case Against Deregulation, Repealing Section 230, Looking Back At AT&T’s Breakup
Why deregulation isn’t pro-competition, the case for repealing Section 230, and the breakup of AT&T.
CETF
California Push for Inclusion, Former AT&T Lawyer Alleges E-Rate Overcharges, Virginia Funds Broadband
March 24, 2021 – The University of Southern California and the California Emerging Technology Fund announced a partnership on Monday to determine internet access in California based on demographics and location. The two organizations hope to identify the impact a lack of broadband causes for those w
FBA
Smaller Internet Providers Were Instrumental to Fiber Deployment in 2020, Says Fiber Broadband Association
December 29, 2020 — Smaller internet service providers were critical to fiber growth in 2020, accounting for 88 percent of total capital expenditure, according to the results of the latest annual study of network operators and consumer research, conducted by Mike Render, CEO of RVA LLC, for the Fibe
AT&T
Squeezing Capacity From Copper Networks While Undertaking a Transition to Fiber Broadband
November 24, 2020 — In a virtual conversation sponsored by Connected Nation Michigan, Wes Kerr, director of community solutions at Connected Nation, was joined by Chip Spann, director of engineering and technical services at Connected Nation, to discuss the predominant technologies providing broadba
Biden-Harris Administration
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
FCC
New Map of Potential Rural Broadband Bidders, Problems With Lifeline, Twitter’s ‘Read Before’ Feature
Cooperative Network Services, a consultant that works with broadband providers in the upper Midwest, recently created a map plotting the current service areas of bidders in the upcoming Rural Digital Opportunity Fund auction. The map includes information from 366 of the 505 of providers who applied.
Fiber
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
FCC
Starlink Touts Improved Broadband Latency, Cable Guys Have Ideas About Broadband Data, Costs of Chinese Gear
SpaceX, an aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company headed by Elon Musk, has been actively deploying internet-beaming satellites into low Earth orbit since 2018. The company believes its low Earth orbit technology may be the answer to resolving the issue of universal access,
Digital Inclusion
‘Disconnection Day’ Looms as a Flouted ‘Keep Americans Connected’ Pledge Expires
June 30, 2020 — When internet historians look back on the present day, Tuesday may end up being known as “Disconnection Day.” That’s because thousands, and perhaps millions, of people across the country will lose broadband access with the sunsetting of the Federal Communications Commission’s “Keep A
FCC
Coronavirus Roundup: FCC Grants Waiver to WISPs, CenturyLink on USNS Mercy, Precursor on Techlash
The Federal Communications Commission’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau on Friday granted temporary spectrum access to 33 wireless internet service providers serving 330 counties in 29 states to help them serve rural communities’ broadband needs during the coronavirus pandemic. The special tempor
NTCA
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
