broadband roundup
Dish and EchoStar to Combine, Over Half of Rural Telcos Grants in 2022, FEC Considering New Rules for AI in Campaigns
The deal is expected to “amplify” 5G private networks.
Health
FCC Announces $43 Million in COVID-19 Telehealth Subsidies
The Federal Communication said the awards will help connect patients to critical health services during a new wave of Covid-19.
Exclusive
Exclusive Drew Clark Column: Libraries’ Role as Physical and Social Infrastructure
Libraries are a crucial “third space” between work and home and connective tissue in a democratic and egalitarian society.
Education
FCC’s Emergency Connectivity Funds Ineligible for School and Library Self-Provisioned Networks
The FCC’s May 10 order said schools and libraries could not use connectivity funds to build self-provisioned networks.
Rural
In San Juan, Utah, a Snapshot of a School District’s Struggle to Bring Broadband Home
The fight for broadband infrastructure in one Utah community. Is private enterprise the end goal?
broadband roundup
Boost Bundles TeleHealth, $100M For South Dakota Broadband, Frequencz Gets Financing
Boost is bundling telehealth services, South Dakota planning $100 million for broadband, Frequencz gets $4 million in capital.
Broadband Mapping & Data
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
broadband roundup
$109 Billion for Broadband Bill, AT&T Fiber, Starlink’s 60 New Satellites, Klobuchar’s Antitrust Crusade
March 16, 2021 – Democratic lawmakers have introduced a $312 billion bill that would boost broadband, clean energy and public health infrastructure. The Leading Infrastructure For Tomorrow’s America Act, or LIFT America Act, was introduced Monday and is backed by all Democratic members of the House’
Broadband's Impact
Report Finds Some Visible Minorities Left Out of Internet Access At Public Libraries
March 9, 2021 – The Open Technology Institute and New America’s Education Policy program released a new report this month on visible minority experiences at public libraries and how those institutions are combatting the digital divide during the pandemic. Over 2,600 people were surveyed on how they
broadband roundup
Senate Version of Stimulus Bill Has $2 Billion For Cybersecurity, Telecom Transparency, SpaceX Pilot
March 9, 2021 – The Senate’s approved version of the $1.9 trillion stimulus bill includes nearly $2 billion for cybersecurity and technology modernization programs. Of the $2 billion, half will go toward the Technology Modernization Fund, intended to help the federal government launch new cyber and
broadband roundup
Broadband Speed Definition, Boom in Fiber Deployment, $7.6 Billion in New Stimulus Bill
March 4, 2021 – In a bipartisan letter Thursday, Sens. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., Angus King, I-Maine, Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and Joe Manchin, D-W.V., urged the Biden administration to update federal standards for high-speed broadband to reflect modern uses and align those standards across the governmen
Infrastructure
Tilson CEO Says States Should Determine Where to Deploy Federal Broadband Funds
March 2, 2021 – Federal block grants are an effective way of deploying broadband quickly, and the federal government needs to hear local stories to understand that, said the CEO of network builder Tilson. Joshua Broder said at an Incompas event on February 9 that the historic debate about whether fe
Broadband's Impact
Government is Spending Enough Money on Broadband, But Failing to Do It Well
February 10, 2021 – The government is spending enough money to get every single American connected to high-speed broadband, but they’re still failing at it, said industry experts during the INCOMPAS 2021 Policy Summit. The panel touched on how to better expand broadband across America to address the
broadband roundup
Energy and Commerce Committee Chair and Ranking Member, 5G Network Efficiency, CARES Act Broadband Projects
Rep. Frank Pallone, D-New Jersey, was unanimously reelected Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee for the Congress beginning in January. He issued the following statement: “Our nation faces unprecedented challenges, and I stand ready to work with all of my colleagues to combat the COVI
broadband roundup
Veterans’ Affairs Pilots 5G, Bill de Blasio and Verizon, Chattanooga Free Internet, New WISPA Board
The Department of Veterans Affairs is extending its 5G hospital innovation project, beyond the Palo Alto-based hospital where it began 9 months ago, reports NextGov. In addition to the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, the department has already begun work expanding the project to a VA facility in La
broadband roundup
FTC’s Zoom Deal and Democrats, Vertical Bridge Buys Eco-site, Bill Would Extend CARES Act to 2021
The Federal Trade Commission’s two Democrats laid out a plan to increase the institution’s data security and privacy enforcement in response to an objection to a recent non-monetary settlement with Zoom. Earlier this month, Zoom revealed a new agreement in an effort to settle claims that it misled u
