Infrastructure
Five More States to Receive Money from Capital Projects Fund
Arkansas, Connecticut, Indiana, Nebraska and North Dakota are the latest recipients.
Funding
Treasury Department Announces $357 Million in Additional Capital Projects Fund Awards
Kansas, Maine, Maryland and Minnesota are among the awardees.
FCC
House Committee Passes Bills, $266M from Emergency Connectivity Fund, Glo Fiber Maryland Grant
The House energy committee pushed forth bills that will, among other things, extend the FCC’s auction authority.
Funding
Federal Subsidies Will Help Maine Connect All Residents, Says Broadband Director
The state is optimistic that multiple sources of funding from federal programs will close the digital divide.
Charter
Noah Tulsky: Shared Infrastructure Can Make 5G Work For Cities
Cities should prioritize competitive processes to select an open access neutral host infrastructure provider.
COVID
Sen. Wicker Asks for Broadband Spend Review, Starlink Speeds, WIA and Ohio State Partner on Curriculum
Senator Wicker is asking for a review of how funds set aside for broadband during the pandemic are being used.
ARPA
Treasury Department’s Final Rule Uses Less Restrictive Language to Qualify for Broadband Funding
Treasury Department departed from its original proposed rule, granting recipients flexibility on broadband download and upload speeds.
Funding
New Treasury Rules on Broadband Funding Give Local Governments Flexibility on Spending
The rules will give Capital Projects Fund applicants authority to decide what’s ‘affordable, reliable, and unserved.’
FCC
‘Squid Game’ Exposes Traffic Problem, Virginia’s $2B Broadband Investment, West Virginia Mapping
Netflix hit’s traffic struggle, Virginia expects $2B from P3, op-ed says FCC expects states to get good maps before FCC.
FCC
Auction Date for 3.45 GigaHertz, Pew on State Role in Digital Divide, Cable Broadband Report
FCC sets 3.45 GigaHertz auction date, Pew research on state role in digital divide, and ACA reports broadband progress.
White House
Treasury Announces Summer Deadline For Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund
$10 billion dollars are being made available to communities in need to better connect their communities.
Infrastructure
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.
EBB
Focus On Community Networks In Biden Plan A Positive 180-Degree Policy Change, Advocates Say
April 7, 2021 – Despite criticism levied against President Joe Biden’s new infrastructure plan, some broadband industry experts are excited about what it could mean for municipal and co-op networks. Biden’s “American Jobs Plan” would dedicate $100 billion for broadband infrastructure improvements ac
Infrastructure
Schools And Libraries Look For Solutions With $7 Billion In Federal Help
April 6, 2021 – In a webinar last week hosted by the Schools, Health, and Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLB), panelists discussed opportunities schools and libraries have to better serve their communities with the recent $7 billion provided through the American Rescue Plan, a $1.98 trillion corona
ARPA
Vermont House Backs $150 Million Broadband Plan Creating New State Office
A bill dedicating $150 million of anticipated federal funding to create a new state broadband office to coordinate and accelerate the expansion of high-speed Internet access throughout Vermont passed the State House of Representatives last week with overwhelming bipartisan support. On March 24th, th
EBB
FCC Broadband Focus; Facebook Fiber In Indiana; Telco Fiber To 68M Homes; Right Of Repair Bill In Nevada
March 30, 2021 – The Federal Communications Commission is focusing on objectives of President Joe Biden’s $1.9-trillion American Rescue Plan, which includes $7 billion for the E-Rate internet subsidy program, Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said last week. The E-Rate program – which provides i
