IRA
Washington State Initiative: Helping Communities Access Federal Funding
The Washington Department of Commerce said the grants will help communities secure fund for infrastructure, innovation, research, and jobs.
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.
Digital Inclusion
House Democrats Urge NTIA to Prioritize Affordability for BEAD
Their Republican counterparts and conservative groups have opposed the agency's low-cost policies.
Rural
RDOF Winners Seek Amnesty Amidst Rising Costs
The RDOF winners point to unexpected surges in broadband construction costs occurring after the auction.
NEPA
NTIA Releases Permitting and Environmental Data Tool
The agency said it will be announcing additional permitting initiatives ahead of BEAD.
BDC
FCC Moves to Relaunch $9 Billion 5G Fund for Rural America
Stakeholders are pushing for adjustments to the 5G Fund as the FCC proposes a $9 billion revival.
Commerce
House Passes Bill to Fund Broadband in Economically Distressed Areas
The bill is aimed at making Economic Development Administration grants more accessible for broadband projects.
Rural
Altice USA Defaults on RDOF Blocks in Louisiana for BEAD Eligibility
Altice USA joins the growing list of near 100 companies that have failed to fulfill commitments made under RDOF.
Charter
Western States Face Uphill Battle in Broadband Deployment Despite BEAD
CTC Technology and Energy's Joanne Hovis also said broadband truly is a non-partisan issue.
FCC
Wisconsin Committee Advances Bill for State Tax Exemption on Broadband Grants
A similar bill seeking to exempt BEAD from state income taxes recently received near unanimous approval in the Georgia House.
FCC
FCC Increases Broadband Benchmark
The agency went through with its proposed 100 * 20 Mbps definition.
Vermont
Vermont to Start BEAD Challenge Process
Four other states are accepting challenges and three more are planning to begin the process soon.
ARPA
Minnesota, Oregon Make Moves on State Broadband Programs
Minnesota began accepting applications for its $50 million program. Oregon finalized guidelines for awarding $149 million from CPF.
Louisiana
Conservative Groups Oppose BEAD Low-Cost Rules
More than 20 think tanks asked Republican lawmakers to push the NTIA to approve lighter touch state plans.
events
States Broadband Offices Detail Broadband Locations, Seek NTIA Flexibility
State broadband officers shared numbers of unserved and underserved locations within their respective states.
FCC
NTIA Greenlights Speedtest Data Integration in State BEAD Maps, Experts Say
The pre-challenge modification permits the inclusion of speed test data gathered from phones and devices equipped with GPS chips.
BEAD
Fixed Wireless Providers Warn About Higher Costs of Fiber Deployment
Broadband experts discussed how fiber costs could harm states' ability to build out their broadband networks
