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
Affordability
Reactions to Broadband Provisions Being Included in the COVID-19 Relief Bill
December 22, 2020 – Late Monday night, Congress approved a $900 billion coronavirus relief package sending desperately needed aid to Americans reeling from the global pandemic. The bill, which sets aside $7 billion for broadband initiatives and includes legislation introduced by Reps. Anna Eshoo, D-
Affordability
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
Infrastructure
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
