Funding
USDA to Open Applications for $26 Million Community Connect Program
Recipients last year included NEK Community Broadband, Lewis County PUD, and Pulse Broadband.
NTCA
USDA Announces $173 Million in Additional ReConnect Funding
ReConnect Program funding will flow to ten states.
SpaceX
Starlink Reveals the Government’s Problem of Picking Winners and Losers
The government has a history of preferencing government-owned networks at the expense of private alternatives.
Advanced Energy
USDA’s Andy Berke Champions Fiber as Key to Rural Broadband Success
Broadband experts cautioned against alternative technologies under BEAD.
Broadband Mapping and Data
Rural Electric Co-ops Want Broadband Data Fixed by FCC Before BEAD
NRECA pushing for consumer-driven speed tests to improve FCC broadband data.
IIJA
USDA Announces $25M For Broadband Technical Assistance
The money will help communities build technical assistance and training to improve broadband adoption in rural America.
IIJA
NTIA to Release Guidelines for Alternative Broadband Technologies Under BEAD
The NTIA aims to influence the use of alternative technologies to fiber optics and streamline permitting processes with new guidelines.
FCC
USDA's ReConnect Program Accepting Applications
The fifth round of funding makes $700 million available for rural broadband.
Justice Department
What's In the FY 2025 Budget for Broadband and Technology
The fiscal year 2025 budget has funds for broadband expansion, tech innovation and digital equity.
BEAD
Flush With BEAD Cash, at Least 13 States Make Plans For ‘Nondeployment’ Funds
Several state offices expect to utilize nondeployment funds in conjunction with infrastructure deployment funds for BEAD.
USDA
More Changes Unveiled for Round 5 of the ReConnect Program
Key revisions to this new round of ReConnect include awarding priority points to applications from states with the highest concentrations of unserved locations.
USDA
USDA Extends ReConnect Round 5 Application Deadline
If fully utilized, the fifth round ReConnect funding will amount to $700 million.
ReConnect
USDA Announces Over $770 Million for Rural Infrastructure
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack also announced the launch of the fifth round of the ReConnect Program.
BDC
Precision Agriculture Task Force Seeks Better Broadband Mapping, Rural Priority
The task force, mandated by the 2018 Farm Bill, pushed both the FCC and USDA on mapping and subsidies.
Rural
Sen. Ted Cruz Warns of Potential Waste in BEAD Allocations
The conservative critic of the broadband program highlighted inaccurate FCC mapping data in a report.
ReConnect
White House Announces Fourth Round of ReConnect: $667 Million
Announcement includes investments in 22 states for 100 * 20 Mbps speeds.
