House Appropriations
House Restores ReConnect Funding for FY26
House doubles funding for rural broadband program, despite Trump proposing cuts.
Funding
Trump Plan Wants to Cut USDA Broadband Funding
Other broadband resources are doing the job, White House said
ReConnect
Senate Confirms Brooke Rollins to Lead USDA
Was approved in a 72-28 vote Thursday; approach to rural broadband issues was not prominently discussed in hearings.
West Virginia
Capito Secures $18 Million Grant for Broadband In West Virginia
Rural broadband infrastructure projects to connect thousands.
ReConnect
ITIF Plan Would Drain Billions from USF to Fund New ACP
Group says the country needs to elevate affordability over availability
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.
Fiber
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.
Broadband Communities
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.
