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Connect Humanity, Microsoft Join Forces to Fund Appalachia Broadband
The nonprofit digital equity organization Connect Humanity has struck a new partnership with Microsoft to fund the deployment of affordable broadband access to long neglected residents of Appalachia. Connect Humanity unveiled the IDEA fund last year, stating the $25 million effort would collaborate with Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to “create opportunities for local capital to invest in broadband infrastructure” across 13 Appalachia states.
Minnesota Strikes Down Preemption Laws Blocking Municipal Broadband
Minnesota legislators have repealed the state’s preemption laws that prevented cities and towns in the state from providing municipal broadband services. The rollback means that the number of states with laws that limit municipal broadband is now down to 16 states.
Wilbraham, Massachusetts Takes First Step Toward City-Owned Fiber Build
Wilbraham, Massachusetts officials are taking the first steps toward building a city-owned open access fiber network – with an eye on boosting local competition and delivering affordable, next-gen broadband access to local residents. The city is currently identifying which company it will hire to deploy fiber to the city of 14,749 with a formal plan to present to voters expected by October.
Net Neutrality Is Really A Debate Over Monopoly Power
As the FCC has restored both net neutrality and its Title II authority over Internet access providers, smaller ISPs and municipalities worry the new rules saddle them with burdensome regulations as punishment for the sins of much larger companies. But the FCC, state leaders, and consumer groups insist the rules should be a net benefit all the same.
UTOPIA Fiber Welcomes Three Additional ISPs, Expands to 18 Partner ISPs
Utah-based UTOPIA Fiber has added three additional ISPs to its open access network, expanding the total number of partner ISPs to 18 now offering affordable fiber service to residents in the 21 cities UTOPIA serves.
Pennsylvania Snubs Community Broadband, Small ISPs In Latest Broadband Grant Round
Telecom monopolies have hoovered up the lion’s share of $214 million recently doled out by the Pennsylvania state Broadband Infrastructure Program (BIP), with cooperatives, smaller ISPs, and community-owned networks left largely out in the cold. It’s not a surprising move for a state long considered politically hostile to community-owned and operated broadband networks, though industry experts say this latest round of awards was particularly egregious when it comes to dodgy politics and its total lack of any real transparency.
Senate Passes FAA Reauthorization Without ACP Amendment
The Senate voted Thursday evening to pass its Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization package without an amendment that would have funded the Affordable Connectivity Program.
Schoharie County, NY Eyes New Fiber Network On Back Of $30 Million Grant
Schoharie County, New York officials have applied for a $30 million New York State ConnectALL grant with the hopes of eventually building a $33 million, county-wide fiber network. The shape and scope of the network has yet to be determined, but the county hopes to build a network that brings affordable access to the rural, agriculture-heavy county.
Tribes Likely Have to Challenge RDOF And Other “Enforceable Commitments” on State BEAD Maps
Tribal nations have unique leverage to resolve conflict between Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) projects and Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) grant funding.
As ACP Collapses, Newark Takes The Lead On Affordable Access
Driven by past successes with city-owned fiber and Wi-Fi, Newark New Jersey has announced the city is significantly expanding the availability of $20/month broadband service to numerous Newark Housing Authority (NHA) apartment buildings. A partnership with Adrena leans heavily on Newark Fiber, a 288-strand city-owned fiber network that has been a cornerstone of the city’s efforts to revitalize and assist many lower income – and long neglected – Newark neighborhoods.
Hoopa Valley PUD General Manager Honored As Connectivity Champion
Hoopa Valley PUD General Manager Linnea Jackson hailed as Connectivity Champion at 50th Anniversary Gala of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) in Washington D.C.
Broadband Champion Jim Baller Presented With Lifetime Achievement Award
James (Jim) Baller’s trailblazing career was honored at the 50th Anniversary Gala of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) in Washington D.C. this week where he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award.