Infrastructure
Multilingual Digital Navigators Crucial For Inclusion
Digital liaisons who speak multiple languages can help guide multilingual communities for the digital future.
Expert Opinion
Gary Bolton: Satellite’s Polite Conceit of Unserved/Underserved
It remains to be seen if Starlink services will have a large-scale detrimental impact on rural service providers.
Infrastructure
Federal Focus On Municipal Builds Rubs Against States’ Policy Opposing Practice: Report
April 8, 2021 – President Joe Biden’s new broadband plan, which emphasizes the importance of municipal-owned networks, is likely to cause tensions with states that have restrictive rules in place against those kinds of builds, according to a new report. That focus on local networks in Biden’s infras
Infrastructure
Californians Adopting More Devices, As Smartphone-Only Connections Drop
April 5, 2021 – A new survey released late last month suggests Californians are adopting more devices as smartphone-only connections in the state continue to drop. The California Emerging Technology Fund, a non-profit foundation focused on digital equity in the state, and the University of Southern
Broadband Live
State Broadband Authorities Play Crucial Role in Mapping, Planning and Educating for Digital Inclusion
April 2, 2021 – State broadband authorities working close to the ground say that the key to tackling the digital divide are states and local communities. Accurately mapping where broadband is available has been a challenge for many years, and the latest Federal Communications Commission effort is cr
Infrastructure
To Compete With China On 5G, U.S. Must Leverage Emerging Technologies
March 31, 2021—The United States can be a world leader in 5G networks by leveraging emerging technologies such as open radio access networks and low-earth orbit satellites, according to the director of the Reconnecting Asia Project. Jonathan Hillman, who is also a senior fellow at the Center for Str
Infrastructure
Most Americans Want Universal Internet Access, But Few Willing To Pay Taxes For It: Study
March 29, 2021 – A new study has found that 95 per cent of Americans believe internet access should be accessible to all, but only 33 per cent would be prepared to pay more taxes to make that a reality. Another 33 per cent said they were “definitely unprepared” to make additional taxes and 34 […]
Infrastructure
Path To Gigabit Found In Pole Access and Government Program Design, Says WISPA CEO
March 25, 2021 – Wireless broadband providers need more regulatory support to meet broadband gigabit needs on a large geographic scale, including access to poles and expanding federal programs to more providers, said Wireless Internet Service Providers Association CEO Claude Aiken. Aiken took to the
Energy and Commerce
Tech Groups Stand Fast With Section 230, Algorithmic Reform, Broadband Funding for States
March 25, 2021 – The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation has released a statement doubling down on the importance of internet liability protection under Section 230 ahead of a congressional hearing on disinformation Thursday. “Section 230 has come under the regulatory microscope as Cong
Infrastructure
National Broadband Strategy Needed on Utility Classification, Access To Poles, Says Broadband Equity Partnership
March 24, 2021 – The biggest challenge for broadband right now is coming up with a national plan for its funding and classification as a utility, David Gilford, co-founder of the Broadband Equity Partnership, said in an interview with Broadband Breakfast. Gilford was asked what are the major roadblo
Alexandra Bruer
Reverse Auction For Faster Deployment, Pandemic Increased Telecom, Trump’s New Social Platform
March 22, 2021—A report published by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation suggests that significant investments in a rural, reverse-auction could make immense progress in bridging the digital divide. On Monday, the group said a $40-billion reverse-auction program targeted at rural, u
Infrastructure
3 House Bills Would Create New Speed Tiers For Broadband, Dole Out Up to $100 Billion in Funds
March 22, 2021 – Three bills, worth $100 billion dollars and introduced in the House, will change the nation’s definition of served and unserved by dramatically upping the threshold for broadband speeds. The bill will create new categories including unserved, low-tier and mid-tier for federal fundin
Digital Inclusion
Starry and Non-Profit PCs for People Seek Affordable Connectivity, Affordable Devices and Digital Literacy
March 19, 2021—Broadband provider Starry Inc. and the non-profit group PCs for People launched a joint effort aimed at deploying affordable, robust, broadband coverage alongside discounted computer hardware to families living in public housing in Denver, Colorado. Starry, a fixed wireless broadband
Infrastructure
Broadband Breakfast Panelists Wrestle With the Speed Definition of High-Speed Broadband
March 18, 2021 – Should the Federal Communications Commission update its definition of high-speed broadband to account for overall faster connections? Industry experts at the Broadband Breakfast Live Wednesday event responded: “It’s complicated.” For BroadbandNow’s Tyler Cooper, the simple answer wa
Infrastructure
Closing Digital Divide Starts With Accurate Maps, Says Gigi Sohn
March 15, 2021 – Gigi Sohn, former president of advocacy group Public Knowledge, said authorities at the Federal Communications Commission and the states need to start with good broadband maps to see where connectivity gaps exist. “Start at square one, and that is with good data and good maps,” said
FTC
Democrats Introduce Community Broadband Act, Lina Khan for FTC, Facebook Wants Lawsuits Dismissed
March 11, 2021 – Democratic lawmakers have introduced new legislation to ensure their residents have broadband access by removing roadblocks for public-private partnerships and locally-owned broadband systems. Reps. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif. and Jared Golden, D-Maine, and Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J. introdu
