Infrastructure
Pandemic Possible Inflection Point in States’ Move Away from Restrictions on Community Networks
The number of states restricting municipal broadband networks has dropped during the pandemic.
Funding
Biden’s Broadband Plan Leaving Unanswered Questions About Funding’s Use, Critics Say
Some fear that there is no real plan to close the digital divide with Biden’s new infrastructure proposal.
Education
FCC’s Emergency Connectivity Funds Ineligible for School and Library Self-Provisioned Networks
The FCC’s May 10 order said schools and libraries could not use connectivity funds to build self-provisioned networks.
broadband roundup
Biden Prefers Trusted Vendors, FTC Sues Frontier, Charter RDOF Waiver, Internet Explorer On Way Out
Fed funding prioritizing trusted network supplies, Frontier sued for speed claims, Charter wants waiver on areas, Internet Explorer support ending.
broadband roundup
Boost Bundles TeleHealth, $100M For South Dakota Broadband, Frequencz Gets Financing
Boost is bundling telehealth services, South Dakota planning $100 million for broadband, Frequencz gets $4 million in capital.
Expert Opinion
Carri Bennet: Biden’s Broadband Plan is Key to Spurring Rural Economic Development, Jobs and Manufacturing
The American Jobs Plan, President Joe Biden’s infrastructure plan, includes $100 billion to ensure broadband availability to every single American at affordable rates. This means building more broadband in rural areas.
Infrastructure
Broadband Speed Threshold Up for Debate on Second Day of WISPAMERICA Conference
Keynote speakers at Day 2 of WISPA America tackled broadband speed thresholds, infrastructure and federal programs.
FCC
Rosenworcel Says Anti-Muni Network Legislation Unfair, Hopes States Change Their Tune
FCC acting chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said she hopes state legislatures change stance on muni builds.
broadband roundup
Cox Buys Segra, Eutelsat Takes Stake in OneWeb, Maine Proposes Broadband Agency
Cox agrees to buy fiber company Segra, Eutelsat is taking 24% in OneWeb, and Maine proposes broadband agency.
Infrastructure
Critics Call Biden Infrastructure Plan Wasteful, Target Broadband Goals
Critics are unhappy about President Joe Biden’s $2.3-billion plan that includes prioritizing local builds.
broadband roundup
FCC Supply Chain Security Strategy, Risk Of Fiber Shortage, Digital Literacy To Close Digital Divide
FCC talks supply chain security, fiber could see shortage, and digital literacy on the digital divide.
broadband roundup
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.
broadband roundup
Biden’s Infrastructure Participants, Low-Price Broadband Access, U.S. Versus EU On Broadband
Associations want inclusion in infrastructure plan, BroadbandNow report on state of broadband, and report says U.S. leads EU on broadband.
Digital Inclusion
Virt Seeks To Serve As The Hub To Find And Join Virtual Events
Launched last week, virt.com hopes to take advantage of the rise in virtual events by crowdsourcing them in one place.
Infrastructure
Federal Focus On Municipal Builds Rubs Against States’ Policy Opposing Practice: Report
April 8, 2021 – President Joe Biden’s new broadband plan, which emphasizes the importance of municipal-owned networks, is likely to cause tensions with states that have restrictive rules in place against those kinds of builds, according to a new report. That focus on local networks in Biden’s infras
Fiber
Experts Weigh What Future Of Broadband Could Look Like Under Biden’s Infrastructure Plan
Experts at the Broadband Breakfast Live Online event debated what “future-proofing” broadband would look like.
