IIJA

Infrastructure

Commerce Secretary Says Expect More Accurate Broadband Maps This Summer

Accurate maps will allow federal dollars to target unserved and underserved areas.

IIJA

Stakeholders Argue Over Whether Middle-Mile Should Receive Infrastructure Bill Funding

Debate at an NTIA event over whether or not funding should go to the middle-mile.

Infrastructure

With State Plan and Federal Funds, California in Good Position to Close Digital Divide

Ernesto Falcon of the EFF says the state’s current plans, assisted by the IIJA, will connect everyone in the state.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure Bill Brings New Focus on Decision Making at Community Level

Funneling of infrastructure funds through states differs from Obama-era broadband programs.

IIJA

Biden On Lookout for Cyberattacks with Russia Massing on Border of Ukraine

The president says that, in the past, Russia has taken covert military actions.

ARPA

Preparing Collaboration Model, Data Collection Suggested Before Infrastructure Money Flows

With infrastructure bill, there is no longer a shortage of funds for states to expand their broadband infrastructure, consultants said.

IIJA

NTIA Official Says Rural Broadband Funds Do Not Disqualify Area from New Broadband Monies

While NTIA will interpret grant funding under the law, it’s up to states to determine where to allocate money.

IIJA

Digital Equity the Focus at NTIA’s Listening Session on Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act

Attendees questioned how digital equity progress can be measured and how underserved populations are educated on technology use.

IIJA

Federal Communications Commissioner Starks Seeks to Encourage Democratic Principles Online

The commissioner noted the peril democracy and citizen privacy finds themselves in around the world.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure Money Must Go to Better Networks — Even If in Areas with Existing Infrastructure

Some are warning that federal infrastructure money should not go toward subsidizing old networks.

Verizon

CES 2022: Public-Private Partnerships Key to Building Smart Cities, Tech leaders Say

Public-private partnerships will increase the community benefit of infrastructure projects, leaders at Qualcomm and Verizon said.

Marsha Blackburn

Senate Confirms Davidson as National Telecommunications and Information Administration Chief

Bipartisan vote confirms Davidson atop the Commerce Department agency. It has a large pile of money to spend on broadband.

Expert Opinion

Tony Thakur: Bandwidth Consumption, 5G and Rural Coverage Will Drive Fiber in 2022

In the coming year, fiber-optic infrastructure will needed to manage and offer increases in bandwidth capacity.

Marsha Blackburn

CES 2022: Multiple U.S. Senators Highlight Rollout of Biden Infrastructure Bill as a Top 2022 Tech Priority

Republican Sens. Susan Collins and Shelley Moore Capito listed infrastructure fund disbursement among their foremost focuses for the coming year.

Commerce

Commerce Department’s NTIA Issues Request for Comment on IIJA

Comments are due on February 4, 2022, focused on the infrastructure grants, middle-mile program, and digital equity planning grants.

Tribal

NTIA Publishes Report Calling for Better Data Aggregation Methods

The report notes need for separating broadband access data from other consumer stats.