Digital Inclusion
Survey: Rising Internet Bills Add to Consumer Frustration Amid Inflation
Despite industry claims of affordable broadband, consumers report financial strain and show support for mandated price caps.
Digital Inclusion
Wisconsin GOP Cuts $750 Million from State Broadband Budget
Joint Finance Committee Republicans proposed delaying state broadband funding until after BEAD.
Charter
N.Y. Orders Charter to Provide $15 Broadband to Low-Income Residents
The public service commission said Charter violated a merger approval order
FCC
Study: Some Internet Plans Now Outpacing Consumer Inflation
'One or two years does not necessarily indicate a permanent change in a trend.'
Rural
Cantwell Ups ACP Money in Updated Draft Spectrum Auction Bill
The proposal would provide $7 billion for the ACP, an increase from the discussion draft.
Open Access
‘Worst Broadband City’ Brownsville Approves Open Access Fiber Project with Lit Communities
Lit Communities will operate the network, with subsidiary BTX Fiber as the last-mile provider. HMI Utilities is prime contractor.
CETF
USC, CETF Collaborate on Research for Broadband Affordability
Advisory panel includes leaders in broadband and a chief economist at the FCC.
FCC Asked To Include States In Mapping, Maryland’s $300M For Broadband, Energy-Saving STB Agreement
April 6, 2021 – Senate Democrats and independents are pushing the Federal Communications Commission to include state, regional and tribal governments in its development of more accurate broadband maps, according to a letter dated April 1. “We strongly urge you to incorporate the voices of state, loc
FCC
Closing Digital Divide Starts With Accurate Maps, Says Gigi Sohn
March 15, 2021 – Gigi Sohn, former president of advocacy group Public Knowledge, said authorities at the Federal Communications Commission and the states need to start with good broadband maps to see where connectivity gaps exist. “Start at square one, and that is with good data and good maps,” said
Broadband Mapping and Data
COVID Relief Bill Provides $7 Billion for Broadband Access, Pew on Pandemic, Education Broadband Service Decision
Sunday evening, Congress announced reaching a deal on an emergency coronavirus relief package, which includes $7 billion in funding to support broadband internet access. The bill is expected to pass both the U.S. House and Senate on Monday. The $7 billion for broadband set aside in the stimulus agre
FCC
FCC’s Low-Income Broadband Working Group Report Finally Receives Unanimous Approval
December 18, 2020 — During the most recent meeting of the Federal Communications Commission’s Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee, on Thursday, volunteer members of the Increasing Broadband Investment in Low-Income Communities Working Group proposed revisions to a recommendations report, after t
Biden-Harris Administration
Biden Wants $4 Billion for Broadband, House Commerce Wants ‘Rip and Replace’, Maine Launches Speedtest
According to numerous reports, the incoming Biden administration is aiming to address broadband disparities in the United States with billions in new funding. The Biden broadband plan aims to address discrepancies in both access and affordability. According to a Washington Post report, Biden has end
E-Rate
Lack of Affordable Internet Disproportionately Impacts Minority Communities, Says Commissioner Geoffrey Starks
July 7, 2020 — “The digital divide is just one of many systematic changes we need to make,” said Federal Communications Commissioner Geoffrey Starks on a Tuesday webinar centered on achieving nationwide digital equity and inclusion. The “digital divide” is not a new phenomenon, but one termed almost
