AI
Commissioner Gomez Calls for Stronger Efforts to Close the Digital Divide
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez urged stronger action to ensure all communities have access to affordable broadband.
BEAD
The Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program is a $42.45 billion initiative administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration of the U.S. Commerce Department. Established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, BEAD aims to expand high-speed Internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs.
Pole Attachments
West Virginia Lawmaker Proposes Empowering State Broadband Offices on Poles
Broadband leaders nationwide face a shared challenge: Keeping utility pole disputes from slowing internet expansion.
BEAD
Roth: No State Net Neutrality, Affordability Laws for BEAD Participants
She said grantees would also have to forgo federal opex subsidies for BEAD builds.
Digital Divide
Ookla: Digital Divide Narrowed in 33 States
South Dakota ranked No. 1 in Starlink-delivered broadband speeds
Expert Opinion
Ray Diaz: How Broadband Connects Tribal Communities to Broader Opportunities
Despite federal funding efforts, 24 percent of Americans on Tribal lands still lack broadband access, limiting economic opportunity and essential services.
BEAD
Fischer Wants More Fiber for Nebraska from Trump’s Commerce Department
The Republican Senator did not comment on BEAD non-deployment funding.
BEAD
Chambers Criticizes BEAD Delays, Calls for Clearer Broadband Standards
The BEAD program, Chambers argued, has done more to delay construction than to drive it.
BEAD
U.S. Pacific Territories Chart Path to Universal Broadband Coverage
Territories’ BEAD plans emphasize buried fiber, resiliency, and disaster readiness.
BEAD
Nonprofit Urges Return of $22 Billion in BEAD Savings to Taxpayers
CAGW’s stance clashed with the views of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, a Republican.
Pole Attachments
West Virginia Orders Utilities to Pay for Pole Replacements
Regulators warn delays could jeopardize federal broadband deployments.
BEAD
Washington D.C. Finalizes Plan for $100M in Federal Broadband Funding
District officials say ‘all’ remaining unserved locations will be connected through fixed wireless technology.
Expert Opinion
Jonathan Romeiro: The FTTH Acceptance Checklist BEAD Projects Should Require
Many fiber builds 'pass construction' but fail operations. A short, boring acceptance package keeps schedules and services intact.
BEAD
States $20 Billion Under Budget for BEAD So Far
AAPB's Gigi Sohn said she's trying to convince more Republicans to advocate for states keeping that money.
BEAD
Texas BEAD Plan $2 billion Under Budget
The state would get fiber to about 51 percent of its BEAD locations, with 22 percent in line for satellite.
Expert Opinion
Colin Reilly: How the BEAD Tracker Speeds Up Broadband Insights
A dashboard for the digital highway from the national non-profit Connected Nation.
BEAD
Speed Tests Could Help Improve Broadband Oversight, Ookla Executive Says
Rural Starlink users often report higher speeds than customers in congested urban areas
