FCC
Techies Tout Plan to Share the C-Band and Bring High-Speed Wireless Access to Millions
About 80 million Americans in unserved or underserved locations could receive gigabit broadband access through spectrum sharing.
Rural
Because Rural America is often the least-connected region in the country, ensuring coverage is central to BEAD.
Infrastructure
Advocates of Dynamic Spectrum Sharing Tout its Role in Helping Close the Digital Divide
WASHINGTON, July 2, 2019 — Allocating more radio-frequency spectrum to smaller providers will make the most difference in helping America to close the digital divide, said speakers at last week’s summit of the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance. The summit brought together policymakers, regulators, academia,
Broadband Live
#RuralBroadband: Watch the Livestream of the Rural Telecommunications Congress Event in Montrose, Colorado
MONTROSE, Colorado, July 2, 2019 – The link to the Rural Telecommunications Congress’ “Fueling the Fire of Rural Innovation” webcast is below. The program begins immediately on the webcast. (Photo of panelists chatting before the livestream at the Visitor’s Center in Montrose, Colorado.)
Infrastructure
Trump Reports Progress on China Trade, Buildout Act in Senate, and Comcast Debuts Robocall Blocking
Trade negotiations with the U.S. and China are “right back on track,” said President Trump this Saturday at the G20 Summit in Japan. The Guardian reports that after the president met with Chinese general secretary Xi Jinping, he announced that the U.S will not impose further tariffs against Chinese
Broadband's Impact
July 2 Rural Broadband Webcast From Montrose, Colorado, Features Mayor Roy Anderson, Electric Coop, and Entrepreneurs
Join the FREE National Webcast to Hear How Rural America Can Benefit from Better Broadband MONTROSE, Colorado, July 1, 2019 – Join an esteemed panel of visionaries, practitioners and entrepreneurs who have successfully used broadband to advance economic development on Colorado’s rural Western Slope.
FCC
On Educational Broadband, Critics Say FCC’s ‘Unfathomable’ Proposal Will Widen Digital Divide
WASHINGTON, June 24, 2019 — Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposed order to permit auction of portions of the 2.5 Gigahertz (GHz) spectrum band has drawn criticism from many outside the agency, including several members of Congress and even the U.S. Department of Education in
Broadband Mapping and Data
US Telecom Touts Progress in Weaving a ‘Fabric’ for Address-Level Broadband Mapping
WASHINGTON, June 20, 2019 – In tackling the nettlesome question of improving broadband mapping, the telecom industry group US Telecom on Thursday showcased recent progress in their pilot program to better detect broadband serviceability. The discussion on a 45-minute webinar focused on how the initi
Education Department
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai Aims to Further Deploy 2.5 GHz Band of Spectrum for 5G Wireless Networks
WASHINGTON, June 18, 2019 — The Federal Communications Commission will vote in July on whether or not to auction off unused portions of the 2.5 GigaHertz (GHz) spectrum band to advance the deployment of 5G wireless networks. Chairman Ajit Pai said in a statement that the order would “modernize an ou
FCC
SiFi Proposes Open-Access Network in Lowell, Ajit Pai on Broadband Farming
SiFi Networks has offered to install and maintain a new fiber optic network in Lowell, Massachusetts—at no cost to the city. This infrastructure would pave the way for new internet service providers to compete with Comcast, which is currently the main internet provider within the city. “Increasing c
Fixed Wireless
Fixed Wireless Could Solve the Digital Divide, if Given the Chance
WASHINGTON, June 12, 2019 — Congress should make it easier for small wireless internet service providers to acquire spectrum and deploy broadband in rural areas, said speakers at a Wednesday panel hosted by the Wireless Internet Service Provider Association. Fixed wireless’ cost-effective deployment
Rural
Federal Communications Commission Announces $169 Million in Rural Broadband Funding
WASHINGTON, June 10, 2019 – The Federal Communications Commission on Monday authorized $166.8 million in funding over the next decade to expand broadband to 60,850 unserved rural homes and businesses in 22 states. Providers will begin receiving funding this month. A map of the winning bids is availa
Education
Virginia Tobacco Region Awards $8 Million in Grants, and Senate Passes Broadband Research Legislation
On Thursday, the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission awarded almost 8 million dollars to fourteen counties across rural Virginia for the development of broadband services, reported The News & Advance. Commission Chairman Kathy Byron highlighted the essential role increased broadband ac
Broadband's Impact
Rural Telecommunications Congress Launches Webcast Series Focusing on Rural Broadband Innovation
MONTROSE, Colorado, June 5, 2019 – The Rural Telecommunications Congress, a 22-year-old grassroots organization advocating for better broadband in Rural America, has announced its national “Fueling the Fire of Rural Innovation” webcast series. The free webcast series begins with an event in Montrose
precision agriculture
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
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
North Carolina
With Electric Co-ops, an Opportunity to Change the Politics of Broadband in Rural America
BROADBAND BREAKFAST INSIGHT: This piece by our friend and colleague Craig Settles addresses several issues about co-ops, broadband, and rural economic development being addressed at the Broadband Communities Summit this week in Austin, Texas. Both Craig Settles, the author of this piece, and Tim Mar
