ARPA
Tech Against Texas Social Media, Alabama Middle Mile Grant, IP3 Awards Bestowed
Two information technology industry groups are trying to stall implementation of Texas’ social media law.
ARPA
American Rescue Plan Act is a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill passed in 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It included significant funding for broadband infrastructure to expand high-speed internet access in rural and underserved areas. States have until December 31, 2026 to distribute these funds.
Expert Opinion
Bryan Darr: Federal Broadband Funding is Available for Local Governments
Ookla can help your community get the funding you need to provide access for all to the digital economy.
ARPA
Treasury Department Expects Majority of Capital Projects Funds Will Be Spent on Fiber
“We have put our thumb on the scale for fiber,” said Joseph Wender, director the Treasury Department’s broadband fund.
ARPA
Montana Mapping Official: Treasury Deadline for ARPA Fund Disbursement Probably Too Soon
Montana’s chief data officer believes 2026 is too early for state mapping to be completed and funding requests submitted.
Infrastructure
Charter Wants $35M for Builds, Louisiana Getting $29.9M for Broadband, Indiana County Approves $1M Grant
Charter is applying for millions in broadband money to build in Tennessee.
Infrastructure
Sean Gonsalves: Illinois and Possibly New York Are Poised to Fumble Federal Broadband Funds
Some state laws, as written, may run counter to IIJA language and constrain the use of federal funds.
FCC
Clearwave to Buy RG Fiber, Washington Broadband Survey, Michigan Approves $250M for Broadband
Clearwave said the acquisition of RG will allow the combined entity to deliver increased bandwidth to Kansans.
Joe Biden
Biden Budget Includes $600 Million for Rural Broadband
The money will add to the USDA’s ReConnect program.
FCC
Verizon Early Access to Spectrum, Senate Encouraged to Pass Prison Phone Bill, $56M in Delaware Broadband
Verizon said accelerated access to C-band spectrum will allow it to get 5G to customers faster.
Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021
Event: Building for Digital Equity – Demystifying Broadband Policy and Funding
ILSR and the National Digital Inclusion Alliance team up for two-hour livestream event on March 16 from 2-4 p.m. ET
Infrastructure
IIJA Application Webinars, NY Broadband Survey, Chinese LEO Broadband Satellites
The Commerce agency will hold pre-funding technical assistance hearings for infrastructure bill money starting this month.
ARPA
Crowd-Sourced Broadband Maps Often More Useful Than Government Efforts, Panel Says
Community broadband data can be collected by harnessing the power of the individual.
Expert Opinion
Christopher Mitchell: Brendan Carr is Wrong on the Treasury Department’s Broadband Rules
The Federal Communications Commission has no excuse for why the agency finished with the same bad data it started with.
ARPA
Preparing Collaboration Model, Data Collection Suggested Before Infrastructure Money Flows
With infrastructure bill, there is no longer a shortage of funds for states to expand their broadband infrastructure, consultants said.
Expert Opinion
Christopher Mitchell: Treasury Department Rescue Plan Act Rules Improve Broadband Funding
The Treasury Department has resolved all of the concerns that the Institute for Local Self Reliance identified in May.
Infrastructure
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.
