Broadband's Impact
All States and Territories Have Released BEAD Proposals for Public Comment
The proposals detail plans for the $42.5 billion broadband expansion program.
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.
FCC
Florida Releases Volume One of BEAD Plans
The state will mark all DSL customers as ‘underserved’ in its Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment plan.
BEAD
Alaska Releases BEAD Proposal, Volume Two
The state is looking to set locations outside its mapped community boundaries as extremely high-cost.
Infrastructure
FCC to Vote on Pole Attachments at December Meeting
Telecom and utility companies have been clashing on replacement costs.
BEAD
Utah Releases BEAD Proposal, Volume Two
Varied geography might result in multiple high-cost thresholds, the state said.
FCC
Iowa BEAD Initial Proposal, Volumes One and Two
The state is opting into speed tests, area and MDU challenges, and new financing guidelines.
BEAD
New Mexico Releases BEAD Proposal Volume Two
The state plans to get fiber to up to 90 percent of its unserved locations.
FCC
NTIA Confirms Licensed-by-Rule May Apply for BEAD Funding
The move is a win for wireless providers, who have been pushing the NTIA on the issue.
Broadband's Impact
Connect20 Summit: Partnerships are Key for Digital Equity Efforts
State broadband offices should look to local organizations for digital equity efforts, panelists said.
Biden-Harris Administration
Connect20 Summit: Building Trust with Communities is Key to Adoption
Digital navigators spoke about their work at the Connect20 Summit in Washington.
FCC
FCC Cybersecurity Pilot Program, YouTube AI Regulations, Infrastructure Act Anniversary
The FCC has proposed a pilot program to help schools and libraries protect against cyberattacks.
Lifeline
FCC Approves Strong Digital Discrimination Rules
The FCC also approved support for domestic abuse victims, inquiry on AI and robocalls and preventing cell phone scams.
FCC
House Subcommittee Witnesses Disagree on AI for Broadband Maps
The Communications and Technology Subcommittee held a hearing Tuesday on using AI to enhance communication networks.
Biden-Harris Administration
Federal Officials Agree: Infrastructure Alone Will Not Close the Digital Divide
Officials from broadband funding programs emphasized the important of non-deployment projects at the Connect20 Summit in Washington.
Digital Equity Act
North Carolina Launches Digital Equity Grant Program
The program sets aside $14 million in ARPA funds for digital literacy and affordability efforts.
Broadband's Impact
Hawaii and Oregon Release Draft BEAD Proposals
Comments are due to Oregon’s broadband office on December 10, and to the University of Hawaii by December 9.
