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.
Affordability
N.Y. Attorney General Wants Supreme Court to Back Off State Law
Says high court should allow N.Y. to enforce the Affordable Broadband Act, which requires 25 Mbps for $15/month or 200 Mbps for $20/month
Affordability
New Study Proposes Funding Reforms for ACP
The Affordable Connectivity Program should change the income-eligibility threshold to 135% of the federal poverty line, says report.
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
Affordability
Study: Some Internet Plans Now Outpacing Consumer Inflation
'One or two years does not necessarily indicate a permanent change in a trend.'
Affordability
House Republicans Again Take Issue with BEAD Affordability Regs
The NTIA head defended its policy of ensuring a low-cost option.
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.
NOFO
Broadband is Affordable for Middle Class, NCTA Claims
According to analysis, the middle class spends on average $69 per month on internet service.
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.
Infrastructure
USC, CETF Collaborate on Research for Broadband Affordability
Advisory panel includes leaders in broadband and a chief economist at the FCC.
Abell Foundation
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
Infrastructure
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
Infrastructure
Joe Supan: Why Internet Under 5 Megabits Per Second Should be Free
'Everybody ought to have access to a computer; everybody ought to have access to the internet; everybody ought to know how to use it.'
Broadband Live
Broadband Breakfast Live Online Wednesday, March 10, 2021 – The Emergency Broadband Benefit: How Will the $3.2 Billion Program Work?
Panelists include Dr. Reggie Smith III of USDLA, Marijke Visser of ALA, Brian Hurley of ACA Connects and Jodie Griffin of the FCC.
Affordability
Coronavirus Stimulus Omnibus Also Includes Consumer Protection Provisions, Elevating the Definition of ‘Broadband’
The House of Representatives passed an end of the year omnibus bill on Monday, which included six provisions from the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee. The legislation aims to help protect consumers from harmful products and COVID-19 scams. One of the provisions, the COVID-19 Consumer P
