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Broadband Accessibility a Focal Point in Hearing on Telehealth
Participants consider broadband internet an integral part of expanding telehealth accessibility.
Amid Calls for Accountability, FCC Proposes Georouting Initiative for 988 Lifeline
Days before the FCC proposed location-based routing for 988 calls, the program's unused funds were flagged for audit.
Craig Settles: Hospital at Home Telehealth Can Drive Broadband Adoption
When it's a matter of life and death, it's all about wireless internet, says the author.
Treasury Approves $22.5M Funding for Broadband Healthcare in Washington, D.C.
The Whitman-Walker’s Max Robinson Center will be able to serve an extra 10,000 residents with telehealth.
Ar’Sheill Monsanto: Houston, We Have a Connectivity Program
More than 400,000 Houston households are eligible for Affordable Connectivity Program. But only 30% have adopted.
WISPA Panel Urges Small Broadband Providers to Embrace Telehealth
Connecting healthcare clinics can benefit communities, the panel said.
Craig Settles: And a Little Child Shall Lead Them — Digitally
How many communities are leveraging their teen populations in the pursuit of broadband and digital equity?
Craig Settles: There’s a TAP for That!
Through Telehealth Access Points, we can consider broadband and telehealth as the double-edged sword of digital health.
Craig Settles: The Role of Telehealth in States’ Broadband Plans
Communities need a strong human element for telehealth to succeed, so digital navigators are key to the team.
FCC Proposes Notification Rules for 988 Suicide Hotline Lifeline Outages
The proposal would ensure providers give ‘timely and actionable information’ on 988 outages.
FCC Eliminates Use of Urban-Rural Database for Healthcare Telecom Subsidies
The commission said the database that determined healthcare subsidies had cost ‘anomalies.’
Craig Settles: Communities to Roll Out Telehealth Integration
‘We figured out how to train people to be digital navigators [and] get customers comfortable with telehealth.’
FCC Testing Wireless Alerts, 6 GHz Concerns, California Privacy Bill for Minors
The FCC will test the location accuracy of wireless tests over two days in September.
Providers Call for More FCC Telehealth Funding as Demand Grows
‘I think obtaining funding from the Universal Service Fund would go a long way.’
Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Has Benefits, But Also Challenges That Must Be Rectified: Experts
The technology needs to be examined to ensure it doesn’t create inequities in healthcare, panel hears.
States Lagging on Bills to Implement 988 Suicide Hotline Mandate as Deadline Approaches
As of June 7, 20 states have passed legislation to implement the 988 suicide hotline mandate, according to FCC data.
Digital Literacy Training Needed for Optimal Telehealth Outcomes, Healthcare Reps Say
Digital literacy should be a priority to unlock telehealth’s potential, a telehealth event heard.
Craig Settles and Sean Gonsalves: Telehealth For All is a ‘Stroke of Genius’
Without access to a secure broadband connection, the co-author of this Expert Opinion would have died.
‘Ample Evidence’ Telehealth Contributed to National Covid Response: FCC Commissioner Starks
Geoffrey Starks said adoption of telehealth services has ballooned during the pandemic.
FCC Telehealth Program Creating Real Positive Changes in Medical Care, Says Trade Association Rep
The program has allowed more providers to open telehealth services and is creating more audio-only sessions.
Telehealth Has Potential to Shift Medical Focus to Preventative Care and Wellness
Experts say continued investment in telehealth is necessary to improve care systems.
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.
Ask Me Anything! Friday with Craig Settles, Community Telehealth Pioneer at 2:30 p.m. ET
Visit Broadband.Money to register for the Ask Me Anything! event on Friday, December 3, 2021, at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Another $700 Million for 26 States Through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund
Over 400,000 locations across the U.S. will get broadband in this funding wave.
Senate Subcommittee Hears Broadband Affordability, Regulatory Flex Key to Reducing Hospital Burdens
Health providers testified before a Senate subcommittee that Congress should be open to all forms of telehealth.
Craig Settles: Libraries, Barbershops and Salons Tackle TeleHealthcare Gap
Craig Settles describes the important role that community institutions have played in promoting connectivity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Institutions Must Continue Riding Telehealth Growth Momentum for Post-Pandemic Care
Governments and health providers have an opportunity to carry the momentum of 2020 for telehealth’s future.
Laura Miller: 7 Reasons Working From Home Might Be Here to Stay
As most of the business world scrambled to be productive in a remote existence, established work-from-home companies were left unscathed.
Broadband Equity for All Coalition Sets Sights On Long-Term Broadband Benefit
In the wake of the Emergency Broadband Benefit program, a new group emerges.
Healthcare Startup, Boosted By Pandemic, Wants To Alleviate Fears Before And After Surgery
PatientPartner, which helps surgery patients connect with each other, is seeing rapid growth during the pandemic.
5G In 12 GHz Band, Vaccine Hotline, NAB On Fox Free Speech Case
Industry groups ask for 5G space on 12 GHz band, new hotline for vaccines, NAB on Fox free speech case.
Vice President Kamala Harris Will Oversee Administration’s Broadband Goals
Biden has assigned Vice President Kamala Harris with the broadband portfolio.
Gigabit Speeds: Marketing Spin or A Necessity for the Future?
Experts discuss the short- and long-term need for gigabit speeds.
Regulatory Commission Needed To Monitor Big Tech Collection Of Consumer Data, Professor Says
April 8, 2021 — There needs to be a digital regulatory commission created to ensure big tech cannot run wild with consumer data, said Robin Gaster, a George Washington University public policy scholar. Gaster, who’s also president of Incumetrics, a data and program evaluation consultancy, published
Pandemic Creating Long-Term City Solutions to Technology Challenges: Route Fifty Town Hall
March 24, 2021 – Partnerships between cities and tech companies have not only allowed municipalities to acquire technology to get online quickly during the pandemic, but it’s also helped city staff absorb technological training to address challenges in the future, a virtual town hall heard Tuesday.
With Security And Cost Concerns, Telehealth Is A Double-Edged Sword: Harvard Professor
March 4, 2021 – The benefits of telehealth, especially during the pandemic, is being offset by the enhanced security requirements and the increased costs to adapt, a professor of Harvard’s medical school said at a House hearing Tuesday. Ateev Mehrotra said at the House Energy and Commerce Committee
Debra Berlyn: Telehealth is Here Today and Here to Stay
The COVD-19 pandemic has been an extremely difficult time for everyone and has led to the implementation of major changes in our daily behaviors. In order to overcome this adversity and adapt to living in a new age, great innovations have been advanced. New tech devices and programs have offered man
Biden Administration Should Approach Broadband Considering Adoption and Digital Literacy
February 12, 2021— The Biden administration has the opportunity to do what his predecessors failed to: Take a different tack on broadband that will include considering it critical infrastructure, experts say. “We have to look at [broadband] adoption and digital literacy and affordability,” said Anna
FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel Prioritizes Visits to Hospitals in Telehealth Push
February 7, 2021 – Federal Communications Commission Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel on Tuesday made a visit to Children’s National Hospital, and a virtual visit to the University of Virginia, to emphasize the agency’s goals of investing in telehealth strategies, with a specific emphasis on se
States Commiserate About How They are Plagued by COVID-19, Data Collection Issues
February 4, 2021 – The administration of President Joe Biden has a full plate of state priorities waiting to be worked on, and leaders representing states and the White House on Thursday discussed the pressing need to address COVID-19. The pandemic has played a significant role in how state governme
Digital Health Companies Adapted With Agility to Meet Outstanding Demands During the Pandemic
January 19, 2021—The COVID-19 pandemic continues to pressure digital health companies to adapt and scale with remarkable agility to meet unprecedented demands for their services. At the Consumer Technology Association’s annual Consumer Electronics Show on January 12, David Kirkpatrick, editor-in-chi
Particularly for Millennials, Telemedicine Skyrockets to the Mainstream, Say CES 2021 Panelists
January 12, 2021 – The growth of telehealth has exploded since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and there are no signs of it slowing down anytime soon, panelists agreed at CES 2021. Health economist and blogger Jane Sarasohn-Kahn used a session on “Telemedicine Skyrockets to Mainstream” to declare that
Shortcomings in Telehealth Revealed By Increase in Demand From Pandemic
October 13, 2020 — Shortcomings in telehealth services were revealed when the COVID-19 crisis caused telehealth visits to skyrocket nearly overnight. “Consumers were only sort of ready, and we as providers were definitely not ready,” said Dr. Roberta Schwartz, executive vice president and chief inno
Coronavirus Pandemic Has Encouraged a Mobile, User-Centered Approach to Healthcare
September 8, 2020—Panelists at the Connected Health Summit on Thursday agreed that the pandemic has encouraged a more mobile, user-centered approach to healthcare, particularly with the more-prevalent deployment of artificial intelligence. “The pandemic has caused people to consider what the right m
At NATOA Conference, 5 Municipalities Highlight Broadband Efforts During Coronavirus Pandemic
September 5, 2020 – Telecommunications officials and advisors from five municipalities described how they have approached broadband during the time of a pandemic. Speaking at the virtual conference of the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors on “Leveraging Smart Communiti
Telehealth Market Has Expanded Exponentially in Response to COVID-19, Say Connected Health Panelists
September 3, 2020 — COVID-19 has disrupted the entire healthcare ecosystem and marketplace, and consumers and providers alike are changing their attitudes towards telehealth in response. According to panelists on two Tuesday webinars, which were both part of the week-long Connected Health Summit spo
America’s Race for Universal Telehealth May Rely on Making Medicare Payments Permanent
August 31, 2020 – Kimberly Sanders was recovering from a heroin addiction when the coronavirus struck. She had been homeless before and struggled to commute long distances for treatments. But because of her failure to attend several appointments, her previous doctors stopped seeing her. Years later,
Panelists Discussed Innovations in Patient Telehealth Use During Connected Nation Webinar in Michigan
“The telehealth industry has experienced a five-year shift in six months,” said Nick Sarantis, system director of digital health at Baptist Health System, during a Connected Nation Michigan sponsored webinar on Tuesday. The virtual discussion featured a panel of experts from Michigan State Universit
Republican Leaders Respond to Queries Over Lack of a Platform Before the Republican National Convention
August 25, 2020 – Republican delegates questioned about the party’s decision to not write a platform in the lead up to the party’s convention said they expected “more of the same” from President Donald Trump. “There’s no platform. What policy is the president pushing? What is his second term agenda?
Aspen Institute Panelists Discuss Technology’s Role in Combatting Mental Illness
August 13, 2020 — As a result of 2020’s myriad challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, widespread economic instability and a societal reckoning with inequality, mental health issues are on the rise across various populations. This moment of heightened loneliness and mental health crises unders
Telemedicine is Increasingly Important, But Comes With Challenges, Say Route Fifty Panelists
August 11, 2020 — Telemedicine is crucial for treating patients during the coronavirus pandemics, but carries limitations, agreed participants in two Route Fifty webinars on Tuesday. Dr. Judd Hollander, associate dean of strategic health initiatives at Thomas Jefferson University, said that there ar
Hospital Robocall Protection Group Undertakes Responsibilities in Inaugural Meeting
July 27, 2020 — Health care institutions have reported a rise in the number of robocalls and I.D.-spoofed calls during the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of robocalls has drastically increased since January, according to Dave Summit, chair of the Hospital Robocall Protection Group. Speaking at the gr
House Democrats Call to Increase Funding for Coronavirus Testing and Tracing
July 20, 2020 — As the United States fosters record breaking infection rates of COVID-19 and looks toward a second wave, it is clear that the crisis will be continuing for some time to come, said members of Congress on Monday. In a conference call sponsored by the New Democrat Coalition, representat
Adoption of Cloud Computing in Municipalities Aids Public Health, Transportation and Safety
July 17, 2020 — Adoption of cloud computing services by public entities impacts many civic sectors, said local officials on Wednesday. In an Amazon Web Services webinar, local representatives from Louisville and Minneapolis detailed how cloud services helped spur innovation in their respective munic
States Must Increase Accessibility of Both In-Person and Remote Voting, Say Brookings Panelists
July 15, 2020 — The November election will be extremely vulnerable to widespread voter suppression, making it increasingly important for states to have robust plans for both absentee and in-person voting, said Brookings Institution panelists Wednesday. On what was formerly scheduled to be the third
Air Force Aims to Expand 5G Capabilities to All Bases, According to CTO Frank Konieczny
July 15, 2020 — 5G technologies will eventually revolutionize government, said panelists on a Wednesday webinar sponsored by AT&T. Owen Rodgers, federal government chief architect at AT&T, said he expects to see 5G innovation in the areas of defense, health and education throughout government. The U
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai Calls for Expanding Telehealth Initiatives
July 15, 2020 — Continuing to expand access to telehealth to facilitate health care during the coronavirus pandemic and beyond is essential, said Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai on Tuesday. In a virtual event sponsored by Axios, Pai explained why the fight for telehealth accessib
Libraries Play a Crucial Role in Coronavirus Response, Say Panelists at Route Fifty Webinar
July 14, 2020 — Libraries have a unique opportunity to respond to the coronavirus and are well equipped to assist vulnerable populations, said participants in a Route Fifty webinar Tuesday. Felton Thomas, executive director and CEO of the Cleveland Public Library, said that his library played an imp
Federal Communications Commission and Media Must Combat Black Mental Health Crisis
July 13, 2020 — Recent data from a survey launched by the federal government, originally intended to trace the effects of the coronavirus, has revealed that anxiety and depression rates among Black Americans have spiked disproportionately in the weeks following the widely-circulated video of George
Contact Tracing App Can Assist in Reopening Localities Safely, According to AI Task Force Panelists
July 9, 2020 — In the absence of federal leadership, the number of coronavirus cases has continued to climb in the United States, reaching a new single-day record number of infections on Wednesday with 60,000 cases recorded in 24 hours, according to infectious disease physician Dr. Krutika Kuppalli.
Bold Action Necessary to Recover from Coronavirus’ Economic Toll, Says Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco President
June 16, 2020 — Mary Daly, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, said in a National Press Club live event on Monday that “bold action” was the only way to recover from the coronavirus’s economic impact. Daly said that the passage of the CARES Act was an excellent step toward a hast
Chinese Coronavirus Response Both Success and Failure, says Paulson Institute Researcher
June 16, 2020 — The Chinese coronavirus response was a mix of success and a failure, said Paulson Institute Senior Research Associate Neil Thomas in a Center for Strategic & International Studies webinar Monday. Thomas said that while the country was unable to control the virus’s spread, Chinese Pre
Asian and European Nations Taking Very Different Approaches to Coronavirus Pandemic Contact Tracing Apps
June 10, 2020 — The development of digital contact tracing solutions raises endless security issues: Where should data be stored and for how long? Should public health authorities have access? Should app adoption be voluntary or involuntary? In a webinar hosted on Wednesday by the Center for Democra
Early Coronavirus Testing Insufficient, Regulatory Barriers Too Strict, says CATO
June 9, 2020 — Diagnostic testing for the coronavirus was severely lacking when the virus reached the United States, and this could have been avoided by loosening regulatory barriers, said participants in a Cato Institute webinar Monday. The United States’ response to the global coronavirus threat
For-Profit Hospitals Ineligible for Federal Telehealth Funding, Say Panelists on FCBA Webinar
June 8, 2020 — The Federal Communication Commission’s recent initiatives to increase funding for telehealth services, or broadband-enabled healthcare, are not accessible to for-profit hospitals, according to panelists speaking on a Federal Communications Bar Association webinar on May 21. The three
Lack of Privacy and Limitations of Broadband Access Pose Threats to Future of Telehealth, say Panelists
June 5, 2020 — The rise of telehealth across the country could mean a lack of privacy for its users, said participants in an LBJ School webinar Wednesday. Speaking to the organization about the privacy risks posed by the increasingly widespread use of remote healthcare technologies, panelists said t
Public Knowledge’s Internet Superfund is a Vaccine Against Toxic Misinformation and Conspiracy Theories Run Rampant
June 4, 2020 — In a video that quickly went viral, discredited medical researcher Judy Mikovits claimed that the novel coronavirus was intentionally unleashed upon the world by Bill Gates’ elite cabal and that wearing masks can worsen COVID-19 symptoms, among other conspiracies. Facebook, YouTube an
Panelists Strategize on Improving Telehealth and Call for Consumer Empowerment
June 3, 2020 — “In a matter of three weeks, telehealth has advanced three years,” said Maryann Copenhaver, vice president of business partnerships at Mercy Virtual, on a webinar Thursday about the future of telehealth. Panelists on the webinar, which was hosted by Dell Technology, agreed that the CO
Broadband is Vital to the Future of Sports, Says Owner of Washington Capitals and Wizards
May 29, 2020 — Believe it or not, even the midst of a pandemic, the sports industry is still producing record viewership numbers. According to Ted Leonsis, former executive at AOL and the CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which owns the NHL’s Washington Capitals and the NBA’s Washington Wiza
Senators Introduce Healthcare Broadband Bill as House Companion, Proposes $2 Billion Telehealth Expansion
May 26, 2020 — On Friday, Sens. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, John Boozman, R-Arkansas, Gary Peters, D-Michigan, Angus King, I-Maine, Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., and Ed Markey, D-Mass. introduced “Health Care Broadband Expansion During COVID-19 Act,” the Senate
Apartment Industry Sees Stable Payments, Labor Shortages and Preventative Innovations
May 21, 2020 — Apartment communities face unique challenges in coping with the coronavirus pandemic, according to a webinar hosted Wednesday by Broadband Communities. In spite of the economic havoc caused by the pandemic, rent payments have remained stable, according to Caitlin Walter, vice presiden
Two Brendan Carrs Tout the Importance of Telemedicine in a US Telecom Webcast
May 20, 2020 — In a web forum Wednesday, Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr said that while the U.S.’s broadband response to the coronavirus pandemic has been satisfactory, the country still has room to improve with applications such as telemedicine. The US Telecom forum featured a con
FCC Digital Divide Steps Successful, Says Agency Chairman Ajit Pai
May 19, 2020 — The Federal Communication Commission’s measures to address the digital divide have been overwhelmingly effective, Chairman Ajit Pai claimed in a teleconference Tuesday. The teleconference, hosted by House Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle, D-Pa., and Ranki
Healthcare Deregulation Best for Competition, Says Federal Trade Commissioner
May 18, 2020 — Deregulation of healthcare will increase competition and personal choice, said Federal Trade Commissioner Christine S. Wilson in a Monday webinar. The webinar, hosted by the Federalist Society and moderated by Svetlana Gans, vice president associate general counsel of NCTA, the Intern
Using Handwashing Kits, Gloves and Face Masks to Aid Installs With 75 Percent Usage Increase
May 13, 2020 — The second tier of broadband providers has successfully adapted to the age of the coronavirus by providing customer service and high-speed internet amid social distancing recommendations across the country, said representatives in a webinar Wednesday. The webinar, hosted by Broadband
Melinda Gates Touts Role of Women in Coronavirus Response, Also Notes Importance of Broadband Access in Coping
May 7, 2020 — Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and founder of Pivotal Ventures, said Thursday that Congress must focus on vulnerable populations in the next stimulus plan. “We’re seeing what’s happening to people of color who are disproportionately affected,” Gates said
In a Few Weeks, Telehealth Has Gone from Pre-COVID19 Convenience to Life or Death Necessity
May 1, 2020— There will be an outcry if the telehealth tools are taken away from Americans following the coronavirus pandemic, said Mei Kwong, executive director of the Center for Connected Health Policy, at a webinar hosted by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation on Wednesday. Ann M
The Right Response to Pandemic: How Taiwan Has Gone Five Days with Zero Coronavirus Cases
April 30, 2020 – On the last day of 2019, “No More Pipe,” a user on PPT Boards, Taiwan’s version of Reddit, reposted a message by a Dr. Li Wenliang that warned about a respiratory disease spreading in Wuhan, China. At around the same time, Luo Yi-jun, was unable to sleep. The deputy director for […]
Federal Government Agencies Provide Broadband and Coronavirus Updates, Including Telemedicine, for Western Region
April 22, 2020— Executives in major federal agencies such as the Departments of Agriculture, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and the Environmental Protection Agency and Small Business Administration provided updates on the economies and coronavirus grant programs for rural
Coronavirus Survivor Rep. Ben McAdams Recounts His Struggle on Webcast With Utah’s Silicon Slopes
April 14, 2020— Recovered coronavirus patient Rep. Ben McAdams, D-Utah., recounted his experience overcoming COVID-19 and gave his thoughts on the nation’s struggling economy on a Silicon Slopes webinar on Monday On the evening of March 14, McAdams said he “felt a little bit off, run-down.” His temp
Coronavirus May Have Changed Everything, But Not the Human Capacity For Good
BOCA RATON, Florida, April 6, 2020 – Walking along Massachusetts Ave in Washington, D.C. to an event in which I promised my editor I would sit far away from other attendees, I could not have foreseen how swiftly my life would change – along with the rest of the country. Within days I was ordered […]
The FCC Could Do More Now About the Digital Divide, Say Panelists at Broadband Breakfast Live Online Event
April 2, 2020 – “It’s really unfortunate that it has taken a national emergency, a worldwide pandemic, for people to realize how many people don’t have access to broadband internet,” said Georgetown Law Distinguished Fellow Gigi Sohn on a Broadband Breakfast Live Online event Tuesday. When she testi
Speaking to Utah Entrepreneurs, Sen. Romney Emphasizes Communication and Says, ‘We Have to Stop Looking Like Italy’
April 1, 2020—During a Silicon Slopes video conference on Monday, Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, advised listeners to “focus, focus, focus” on what is “absolutely critical to survival in these tough times. Romney was addressing the several hundred small business owners in Utah who logged into YouTube thi
Coronavirus Roundup: Fighting Against the Homework Gap, No Fixed Data Caps in U.K., Gigabit Libraries on Role in Pandemic
March 31, 2020 – Private-public partnerships are coming to the rescue in the fight against the digital divide and homework gap, writes Kim Hart and Margaret Harding McGill for Axios. Internet Service Providers, non-profits, and companies across the United States are donating devices, providing broad
FCC Praises $200 Million for Telemedicine, Outlines Process for Up To $1 Million in Aid Per Applicant
March 30, 2020 –Federal Communications Commission officials praised the adoption of telehealth aid contained within the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act that Congress passed and President Trump signed on Friday. Of more than $2 trillion, the CARES Act allocates $200 million to tele
Coronavirus Roundup: Amy Klobuchar Presses Critical Connections, CRS Outlines Broadband Challenges, INCOMPAS Filing
March 25, 2020 – Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., along with several other colleagues, announced the Keeping Critical Connections Act to help rural America connect to broadband during the coronavirus crisis. “The Keeping Critical Connections Act would help small broadband providers continue offering fre
Arizona State University Journalism Dean Says Students Can Still ‘Report From Home’ During Coronavirus
March 24, 2020 – In another “Social Distance Social” held over Zoom on Tuesday, Future Tense Editor Torie Bosch interviewed Arizona State University Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication Dean Chris Callahan, who said students are encouraged to “report from home” as they adapt t
Speaking from Self-Quarantine, Mitt Romney Blasts Democrats for Stalling Coronavirus Relief Bill
March 23, 2020 – Speaking in an online forum on Monday, Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, expressed frustration with what he regarded as the slow pace of the stimulus relief bill in the Senate. Speaking from his home in Utah, Romney addressed an online forum on Zoom hosted by Silicon Slopes, a technology in
The Coronavirus Means That Americans Need Free and Low-Cost Broadband Now More Than Ever
March 23, 2020 – As Americans shoulder on in self-quarantine, one thing is painfully clear — America needs a quick and stable solution to connecting the millions who do not have broadband access. That was the conclusion that emerged from a panel of experts and practitioners working in broadband and
Coronavirus Roundup: Gaps in Stimulus Package, AT&T on Wi-Fi Traffic, Market-Based Solutions to Digital Divide
March 23, 2020 – Public Knowledge Senior Vice President Harold Feld takes issue with the Federal Communications Commission’s Keep Americans Connected Pledge—it does not help Americans who do not have broadband and 60 days of no late fees might not be long enough. Feld argues that broadband access is
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr Praises FCC’s ‘Unprecedented Effort’ to Ensuring Connectivity During Coronavirus
March 19, 2020 – Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr on Thursday praised the FCC’s emergency efforts to bolster connectivity in light of the coronavirus pandemic now sweeping the United States in a session on Broadband Breakfast Live Online. In a question and answer session with Drew Cl
Broadband Breakfast Live Online Will Stream Daily in March on ‘Broadband and the Coronavirus’
WASHINGTON, March 16, 2020 – After launching the first event of its hour-long Broadband Breakfast Live Online this past Friday, Broadband Breakfast announced that it will livestream, every Monday through Friday, a new event in the series on “Broadband and the Coronavirus” during the month of March.
New Panelists Join Broadband Breakfast Live Online at 12 Noon ET, Including Jon Bernstein, Charles Severance, Rob Vietzke
WASHINGTON, March 13, 2020 – New panelists have been added for the webcast launch of Broadband Breakfast Live Online on Friday, March 13, at 12 Noon ET. This first of three-part FREE webcast series focusing on how broadband can address the novel coronavirus, and the COVID-19 disease. Joining the pan
With the Coronavirus Reaching Pandemic Proportions, Teachers Across the U.S. Are Frantically Converting to Online Courses
WASHINGTON, March 12, 2020 – Although countless universities and school districts are shutting their doors to students and turning to online schooling during the outbreak of the coronavirus, education experts say the move to online classes is a reactionary, not a robust adoption of online resources.
Broadband Breakfast Live Online Launches New Series on ‘Broadband and the Coronavirus’
WASHINGTON, March 12, 2020 – Broadband Breakfast announced the launch of Broadband Breakfast Live Online, a three-part FREE webcast series focusing on how broadband can address the novel coronavirus, and the COVID-19 disease that the World Health Organization on Wednesday declared a pandemic. The fi
Lariat.net Offers Free Broadband for Telehealth Providers, Coronavirus Cancels ACA Conference, Everyday Tech Benefits
Lariat.net, a wireless internet service provider in Laramie, Wyoming, announced that it will offer free internet service to telehealth providers helping those with the novel coronavirus. Although no one has been confirmed as being infected in Wyoming so far, Lariat said it is preparing for a wide-sp
Battling Coronavirus COVID-19, Broadband Could Provide Relief Although Telemedicine May Not Help
WASHINGTON, March 6, 2020 – As cases of the novel coronavirus expand in the United States, Americans are struggling to address changes that have, or are coming, to their lifestyle. Broadband connectivity may be an important factor in confronting the growing pandemic. However, the impact of telemedic
Broadband Roundup: Twitter Flags Misinformation, Facebook Promotes WHO, Tulsi Looses to Google
Twitter Site Integrity Head Yoel Roth told Ari Shapiro of NPR in an interview that Twitter will flag “misleading” or “harmful” content with blue exclamation marks. Roth said altered videos or media that cause harm or “interfere with somebody’s ability to exercise their fundamental rights” – i.e., de
Rural Healthcare Providers Could Be Surprised by FCC’s Recent Changes to Rural Healthcare Program
The Federal Communications Commission’s rural telehealth order of August 2019 was criticized by the Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition in a Wednesday webinar. The FCC’s rural health program has two arms: The healthcare connect fund and the telecommunications program. Jeff Mitchell, at
Comcast Touts 100 Gigabit Service, SHLB Seeks Reconsideration on Telehealth, Senate Clears Emergency Communications
Comcast announced Wednesday that it would begin broadband marketing plans reaching speeds up to 100 gigabits per second to businesses, Post and Courrier reports. The company also announced that it has finished a $14-million upgrade to its fiber network in the Charleston, South Carolina, area. Comcas
New Hampshire Plans a Broadband System, Microsoft on Californian Privacy, and Google Collects Medical Data
New Hampshire state legislature is in the works of forming a bill authorizing multi-town districts for the purpose of establishing a broadband system, Government Technology reports. Although the bill has yet to be finished, said State Sen. Jeanne Dietsch, its framework will help the smallest towns t
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr Touts Work on Enhancing Telehealth and Flexible Spectrum
ARLINGTON, Virginia, October 17, 2019 – Federal Communication Commissioner Brendan Carr highlighted his work at the agency on promoting telehealth, enhancing more flexible use of radio frequency spectrum and “making sure that the U.S. is in the lead” in the race for 5G. Speaking at the annual confer
Sen. Markey’s CAMRA Act Gains Support, Senators Seek Delay on Rural Health Changes, Groups Oppose USF Cap
Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., announced on Tuesday four new endorsements for the Children and Media Research Advancement Act. This legislation would authorize the National Institute of Health to lead a research program on technology and media’s effects on infants, children, and adolescents. “The lack
Pilot Program Will Target Child Mental Health and Maternal Mortality Rates, FCC Says
WASHINGTON, June 17, 2019 — Among the items passed unanimously at the Federal Communications Commission July 10 meeting was the creation of a three-year, $100 million pilot program to support the delivery of telehealth services to rural and low-income Americans. “From chronic disease management to p
Rural Facilities Still Not Using Telehealth, Court Decision on Amazon Liability, and Michigan Grant Program
Nearly a quarter of rural Americans have used some form of telehealth service within the past few years, according to a recent NPR report conducted with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health. The most frequently used telehealth services include receivi
Francella Ochillo is New Chief at Next Century Cities, Vermont Broadband Bill, and States Ponder Telehealth
Next Century Cities on Tuesday announced that it had named Francella Ochillo as the non-profit organization’s new executive director. Ochillo, currently the Vice President of Policy and General Counsel for the National Hispanic Media Coalition, has been active in testifying before Congress, meeting
NTIA Database on Federal Projects Released, FCC’s Carr Visits Montana and Wyoming, and New Broadband Study
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration released a comprehensive database of federal broadband programs on Monday. (See also this PDF for the 109-page guide of programs.) The database was created under the American Broadband Initiative’s mandate to expand connectivity for all
House Small Business Subcommittee Takes Testimony on Need for Better Broadband in Rural Minnesota
“The lack of adequate broadband has become a crisis in rural areas,” Isanti County Broadband Task Force Member Greg Carlson said at a field hearing in the rural Minnesota town of Scania on Thursday. The hearing, entitled “Small Businesses and Their Limitations Without Reliable Access to Rural Broadb
Sen. Josh Hawley Accuses Facebook of Addiction and Calls Social Media Worth-Less
WASHINGTON, May 2, 2019 – Social media and technology platform companies are wasting the talents of a generation, addicting and impoverishing middle America, and even driving teenagers to commit suicide in record numbers, Sen. Josh Hawley said Thursday. In a blistering speech attacking Facebook, Goo
Shirley Svorny: Why the Second-Best Solution – Redefining the Locus of Care – Is Needed for Telemedicine
BROADBAND BREAKFAST INSIGHT: Telemedicine is one of the most immediately needed high-bandwidth broadband applications, and it promises concrete and easy-to-see benefits. Yet its usage had limited by occupational licensing. In this policy report, CATO Institute Adjunct Scholar Shirley Svorny lays out
Self-Driving Vehicles Prompt Subcommittee Debate About Appropriate Actions of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
WASHINGTON, June 28, 2017 – Self-driving vehicles will be able to help the disabled and elderly reach their destinations, said David Strickland, counsel for the Self-Driving Coalition for Safer Streets, at a hearing on Capitol Hill on Tuesday. The hearing was hosted by the Digital Commerce and Consu
How Broadband Mapping Can Help Communities with Chronic Health Conditions
WASHINGTON, June 15, 2017 – The Federal Communications Commission’s Connect2Health Task Force last week announced updates to a broadband mapping platform to allow communities and businesses to better use high-speed internet to help patients with chronic health conditions. “As a famous writer once sa
Bringing Fiber-Optics to Maryland’s Eastern Shore Requires Champions and Partners, Say Panelists
WASHINGTON, June 7, 2017 – Champions, partnerships and flexibility are necessary to bring fiber-optic networks to less-populated communities, said participants involved in launching such a network in Kent County, Maryland. Speaking at a Friday panel was hosted at the Schools Health and Libraries Bro
Budget Cuts by President Trump Take $1.4 Trillion in Non-Defense Agencies
BROADBAND BREAKFAST INSIGHT: The best time to release a budget? When the president is away on a foreign trip! Trump to Propose $1.4 Trillion in Cuts to Non-Defense Agencies, from GovExec President Trump, in budget documents to be released on Tuesday, will propose shrinking spending at non-defense ag
FCC Releases Video of Webinar from its ‘Connected Health’ Discussion
Broadband Breakfast Insight: This was an excellent webinar discussion probing connectivity, and helping government, non-profit and industry users to visualize data about connectivity. Think of this as the kind of activity that the National Broadband Map was designed to achieve. -> Mapping Connected
Pell Center Report Emphasizes Continuing Role in Broadband for State Entities
WASHINGTON, September 16, 2015 – State broadband entities and commissions continue to plan an important role in fostering economic development and digital learning, according to a recent report from the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy. The report, “State-Level Broadband Po
Schools, Health and Libraries Conference a Vital Connection for Public Broadband
Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition Conference [https://broadbandbreakfast.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/shlb_2015_masthead_print-1024x256.jpg]https://broadbandbreakfast.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/shlb_2015_masthead_print.jpg WASHINGTON, May 18, 2015 – More than five years after
Better Broadband for Rural America Means Looking Beyond Tradition: Join Us at the Rural Telecommunications Congress Today
AUSTIN, April 14, 2015 – The Rural Telecommunications Congress portion of the Broadband Communities Summit opens here Tuesday with a series of conference sessions focused on looking beyond conventional rural telecom. Rural Telecommunications Congress [https://broadbandbreakfast.com/wp-content/uploa
Press Release: Call for Workshops and Panel Proposals for Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Conference
WASHINGTON, January 12, 2015 – The Schools, Health & Libraries (SHLB) Broadband Coalition’s fifth Annual Conference will be held on May 20-22nd at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City Hotel in Crystal City, Virginia (near DC Reagan National Airport). The SHLB Conference is likely to attract 350-450 people
Expert Opinion: Telehealth Provides Antidote for ‘Help Wanted’ in Rural America
Rural Americans are sicker, poorer and more likely to be uninsured than their urban counterparts. Vital human capital links in our nation’s information and healthcare supply chain are missing in rural America, and we need more skilled health care professionals in those communities. Telehealth capabi
FCC Announces Awards for Innovations in Accessibility Communications
ARLINGTON, Virginia, June 9, 2014 – Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler presented the third annual awards for advances in accessibility to innovators of communications technology for disabled people. The awards were presented at the M-Enabling Summit at the Renaissance Arlington C
Cities Need to be Involved in Municipal Broadband Because Their Future Depends Upon Such Networks, Says Panel
WASHINGTON, May 29, 2014 – Four believers in municipal internet access expressed their dismay at the New America Foundation at an increasingly consolidated broadband marketplace – and promoted local government ownership as a remedy. Speaking on a panel of experts on Wednesday at the think tank, they
Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition to Meet in Washington This Week
WASHINGTON, May 6, 2014 – Efforts to construct Gigabit Networks will be featured prominently at the Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition meeting this week in Washington, the fourth annual event for this community of broadband users. The even will run from Wednesday, May 7 through Friday
Expert Opinion: Technology Policy Institute Study Misunderstands Purpose of Broadband Program
Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition Finds Fault with Study Critiquing Broadband Technology Opportunities Program WASHINGTON, November 18, 2013 – The Technology Policy Institute issued a report on Thursday criticizing the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). Unfortunatel
Commissioner Rosenworcel Calls Telemedicine a Solution to Lowering Healthcare Costs and Improving Quality
WASHINGTON, July 3, 2013 – Federal Communications Commission Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel discussed the increasingly important role of telemedicine at the American Telemedicine Association Policy Summit on Friday. Rosenworcel described the growing use of telemedicine, with 10 million Americans b
Video: Mobile Health Broadband Breakfast Club – April 16th, 2013
WASHINGTON, Wednesday, April 24th, 2013 – The broadband policy news and events service BroadbandBreakfast.com held its April 2013 Broadband Breakfast Club event: “Mobile Health: Will Wireless Devices Help Solve the Nation’s Health Crises?” on Tuesday, April 16th 2013 at Clyde’s of Gallery Place, 707
You’ve Heard of Big Data. Learn about Small mHealth, at Tuesday’s Broadband Breakfast Club
April 15, 2013 – You’ve heard of “big data.” Well, now its time to learn about “small mHealth.” At Tuesday’s Broadband Breakfast Club, we’ll be learning about “Mobile Health: Will Wireless Devices Help Solve the Nation’s Health Crises?” We’ve got an impressive lineup, including a keynote presentatio
Participate in the Conversation on the Present and Future of Mobile Health at the April 16th Breakfast Club
WASHINGTON, Monday, April 8th, 2013 – The broadband policy news and events service BroadbandBreakfast.com will hold its April 2013 Broadband Breakfast Club event: “Mobile Health: Will Wireless Devices Help Solve the Nation’s Health Crises?” on Tuesday, April 16th 2013 at Clyde’s of Gallery Place, 70
Internet Innovation Alliance Strikes Positive Note About Broadband and Apps Economy in 2013
WASHINGTON, January 24, 2013 – Broadband is about more than internet connection speeds, but now is everywhere, and affecting the way that consumers interacting with constantly-connected devices, according to a guide released by the Internet Innovation Alliance. The IIA guide highlights the usage of
Verizon Chief, on Brink of LTE and FiOS Deployment, Calls for ‘Powerful Answers’ on Broadband
LAS VEGAS, January 9, 2013 – Broadband is now so thoroughly integrated within electronic devices, and broadband providers have done so much to advance faster internet connectivity, that now has become the time to apply broadband to solve society’s toughest problems: health care, educational improvem
Igniting US Broadband Through Obama Administration Executive Order
WASHINGTON, June 19, 2012 — Last Thursday President Obama announced the launch of a new initiative, “US Ignite” and signed an Executive Order reducing the cost and barriers to broadband build out and construction along federal roadways and properties. The Order aims to make construction 90 percent
White Spaces, Special Access and mHealth: Last Week’s Policy Wrap Up
WASHINGTON Tuesday June 12, 2012 – Last week the Federal Communications Commission moved forward with white spaces reform free of challenges from the microphone industry, they took on special access reform and held a meeting of experts to address the future of wireless mHealth innovation. Broadband
What Challenges Are We Still Facing in Seniors Getting Online: What Have We Learned and What Are the Remaining Obstacles?
WASHINGTON Thursday May 17 2012 – Nearly two years after the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s (ARRA) broadband deployment and adoption projects were funded and the National Broadband Plan was adopted, we are still dealing with 100 million Americans who do not receive broadband in the home.
Leveraging Funding from Government Programs, Incentives to Share Information and Faster Broadband Speeds are Key to Maximizing Health IT Broadband
WASHINGTON, Friday March 23, 2012 – On Tuesday March 20th federal regulatory administrators, state health and broadband officials and private health IT and technology experts met in Washington to discuss “Maximizing US Health IT and Broadband Investment” at BroadbandBreakfast.com’s monthly breakfas
Expert Opinion: Broadband Adventures in Wunderland: The Myth of the $7 million home
If it were a piece of classical music, the “study” by Navigant Economics’ Jeffrey Eisenach and Kevin Caves could easily be titled “Variations on a False Narrative in the key of F.” They claim, after a review of three (count ‘em, 3) of the hundreds of broadband grants, the broadband stimulus cost too
July Breakfast Club Examines Connect America Fund Transition
WASHINGTON, July 20, 2011 – The July Broadband Breakfast Club gathered key industry experts to discuss how the Universal Service Fund could be transformed to support next generation broadband communications technologies on Tuesday. “The Universal Service Fund (USF) has done a great job in getting p
Expert Opinion: The New Market Frontier in Technology
Last year, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) recognized the role of technology in strengthening this country’s economy by investing 7.2 million in funding into technology and broadband adoption initiatives through the Broadband Technology Opportunity Program (BTOP
One Economy ‘Application for Good’ Winners Announced
WASHINGTON June 14, 2011- The One Economy Corporation, in conjunction with AT&T, announced the winners of the “Applications for Good” contest on Tuesday. “Technology is important, but today’s event shows that what really matters is how people, families and communities use technology to make their l
Expert Opinion: Building the Gigabit State in Southern Illinois
CARBONDALE, Illinois, June 2, 2011 – Boiled down to its bare essentials, a major research university like Southern Illinois University here needs three things to prosper: good students, great faculty, and world-class internet bandwidth. The only major research university in the southern half of Ill
Google To Launch Ultra High-Speed Broadband Pilot Program in Kansas City, Kansas
WASHINGTON, March 30, 2011 – Google announced Wednesday that it would launch a ultra high-speed network – which is capable of speeds more than 100 times faster than typical residential broadband – in Kansas City, Kansas, with service expected to begin sometime in 2012.
Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition Holds Broadband Summit
WASHINGTON March 30, 2011- The Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition assembled broadband stimulus award winners and government officials for their inaugural broadband summit on Tuesday to share solutions and success in solving digital literacy and adoption issues. The SHLBC, formed two
Former FCC Officials Evaluate Implementation of National Broadband Plan
WASHINGTON March 17, 2011 – The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation brought key former broadband plan authors together Wednesday to discuss how the federal government is enacting the plan.
Internet2 Upgrades Speed to 8.8 Terabits per second
WASHINGTON March 10, 2011 – Internet2, the nationwide ultra high-speed education network, announced that it will increase the network’s speed by a factor of nearly 900. The network’s existing speed is already approximately 1,000 times as fast as a the fastest widely-available high-speed residential
Obama to Outline High-Speed Wireless Plan Thursday in Michigan
WASHINGTON, February 10, 2011 – President Obama is scheduled to deliver a speech at Northern Michigan University, Thursday, detailing his plan to catalyze his State of the Union pledge to deliver wireless Internet to 98 percent of Americans within five years. In addition to spurring businesses to r
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.
Rockefeller to Focus on Fraud, Cybersecurity
WASHINGTON, January 24, 2011 – The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV (D-WV), released his legislative agenda for the upcoming year on Friday. The senator plans to prioritize three broad areas: economic security and growth, proactiv
Research Shows Broadband Adoption Related to Clear Need for Its Use
WASHINGTON, October 6, 2010 – The final day of the Telecommunications Policy Research Conference looked at broadband adoption and universality. The problems addressed are key in helping the government determine how broadband is being adopted and where intervention is necessary.
FCC Lays Out Plans to Overhaul Universal Service Fund
WASHINGTON, September 7, 2010 – The Federal Communications Commission late last week laid out part of its plan to reform the universal service fund, including pushing Sprint and Nextel to live up to their commitments to surrender their high-cost universal support over five years.
California Rolls Out Telehealth Network
WASHINGTON, August 23, 2010 – The state of California last week officially launched its Telehealth Network [http://www.caltelehealth.org], which is funded by $30 million in federal, state and private money.
New Mexico to Receive $74.4 Million in Broadband Grants
WASHINGTON, August 16, 2010- New Mexico entities received a $10.6 million broadband stimulus grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and support for a $63.8 million project from the Rural Utilities Service of the Department of Agriculture. The NTIA grant will be g
Medical Technology Makers Debate Convergence of Health Issues, Spectrum
WASHINGTON, July 28, 2010 – Experts gathered at the behest of the Federal Communications Commission and Food and Drug Administration to give the investor and research and development perspective at the agencies’ public meeting on enabling the convergence of communications and medical systems.
FCC FDA Joint Meeting Discusses Challenges, Successes of Broadband in Healthcare
WASHINGTON, July 26, 2010 – A panel of industry representatives from companies manufacturing new broadband-capable medical tools said they were looking for ways to have these technologies integrated into the current medical systems.
FCC, FDA Partner to Address Health Technologies Using Spectrum
WASHINGTON, July 26, 2010 – To plug it in and keep it beating, these two agencies must keep on meeting was the general theme of a panel discussion Monday convened by the Federal Communications Commission and Food and Drug Administration to address the current state of wireless health, and the lesson
Maryland Takes Proactive Stance on Health IT
WASHINGTON, July 22, 2010 – Following a recent roundtable with health industry leaders, experts, and state officials, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley declared an intention to increase Maryland’s role in the development of Health-related technology. “Advancing our vision for Health IT will further
FCC to Expand Universal Service Rural Health Care Fund
WASHINGTON July 15, 2010- Rural America lags the rest of the country in both access to quality healthcare and high speed broadband but today’s action by the Federal Communications Commission seeks to change that. In a unanimous vote the commission supported expanding the Universal Service Rural Heal
