ReConnect
USDA Requests $230 Million for Rural Broadband and Telehealth, a Decline Over Previous Budgets
The agriculture department proposed canceling $40 million in unused ReConnect funds in 2027 budget.
Education
AT&T Phasing Out 3G, Iowa Expands Broadband Funding, NY Mayor Drags Kids Back To School
AT&T will no longer support 3G networks by 2022, Iowa’s broadband bill, Mayor de Blasio ending distance learning.
FCC
FCC Launches Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
The Emergency Broadband Benefit is designed to help economically disadvantaged households get reliable broadband at a subsidized rate.
Infrastructure
Treasury Announces Summer Deadline For Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund
$10 billion dollars are being made available to communities in need to better connect their communities.
Infrastructure
Surveying Broadband Issues Faced by Students Under COVID-19, CoSN Offers Its Recommendations
The speed of the broadband service used was only one component of the issues students faced.
CETF
Verizon Selling Digital Properties, Florida Aims To Limit Social Media Bans, Starry Participating In EBB
Verizon is selling Yahoo and AOL, Florida going after social platforms, and Starry is getting in on EBB.
Infrastructure
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel Unveils Proposed Rules for Emergency Connectivity Fund
Acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel on Friday released rules for the Emergency Connectivity Fund, answering many questions about the program.
Infrastructure
Vice President Kamala Harris Will Oversee Administration’s Broadband Goals
Biden has assigned Vice President Kamala Harris with the broadband portfolio.
Infrastructure
Gigabit Speeds: Marketing Spin or A Necessity for the Future?
Experts discuss the short- and long-term need for gigabit speeds.
Lifeline
Matthew Johnson: Digital Divide Solution is Right Here with Lifeline. Why is No One Paying Attention?
Over the past year, COVID-19 has upended lives and livelihoods and revealed the troubling breadth and scope of the digital divide. Despite the positive turn the pandemic is taking, millions remain unemployed and struggle to pay rent and put food on the table. They cannot afford basic broadband to ap
Cloud
Former FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler Calls for a Digital Platform Agency, Infrastructure Acquisition, Distance Learning in Champaign
The Harvard Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics, and Public Policy published a report (PDF) on Thursday that proposes a new digital platform agency as the best solution for regulating platforms in today’s digital era. “New Digital Realities; New Oversight Solutions in the U.S.,” by Tom Wheeler, fo
COVID
Trump Pulls O’Rielly Nomination, Algorithm Governance Framework, San Jose Hotspots, New Broadband Association Members
The White House announced Monday, in a notice sent to the Senate, that it was withdrawing the nomination of Mike O’Rielly to Federal Communications Commission for a third term. The notice did not provide reasoning for the action, WKZO reported. The incidence was widely unexpected, coming after O’Rie
Telehealth
Senate Unveils HEALS Act, FCC Transparency Concerns, Wisconsin’s Broadband Task Force
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., revealed his two-month awaited proposal for a coronavirus relief bill Monday. McConnell said he wanted to pause new spending after Congress approved a $2 trillion relief package in March. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., took a different approach, swiftly p
Funding
House Majority Whip James Clyburn Calls for Closing Broadband’s Rural Digital Divide
June 30, 2020 — “Broadband has got to be the order of the day, going forward,” said Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., during a Tuesday webinar hosted by the Northern Virginia Technology Council. The webinar centered on the leadership Clyburn has exhibited in a slew of arenas, particularly, technology poli
AT&T
Broadband Roundup: Grant Restrictions in N.C., Public Knowledge Backs Internet Archive, Streaming Services Customer Satisfaction
June 11, 2020 — “Beware of grant gotchas,” warned CCG Consulting President Doug Dawson, observing in a blog post that one of the most disappointing aspects of the broadband grant world is the fine print that makes awarded money difficult to use as intended. After Caswell County, North Carolina was a
Telehealth
Dept. of Agriculture Announces $34.7 million in High-Tech Grants
WASHINGTON, January 27, 2011 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced earlier this week the dispersal of $34.7 million in grants through the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program.
