Broadband

A New Map Could Mean Less Money to Expand Broadband for Some States

The revised map that shows where there is little to no internet service in the U.S. comes as the feds are about to distribute nearly $42.5 in broadband funding.

  • By Kery Murakami

Mayors Oppose a GOP Bill to Speed Up Broadband Permitting

The proposal would put a “shot clock” on permit approvals in an effort to streamline the process to build broadband around the country. But mayors say it preempts their ability to make crucial construction decisions.

  • By Kery Murakami

Early State Broadband Spending Shows Policy Evolution

Vermont is using its share of the federal Capital Projects Fund for last-mile connections to underserved rural areas and boosting digital equity among disadvantaged residents.

  • By Chris Teale

Inside One State's Effort to Build New Workforce for Broadband Expansion

States nationwide are struggling to find enough workers to reach federal goals of expanding high-speed internet to every home this decade. New Mexico wants to fix that by ramping up trainings and apprenticeships.

  • By Megan Gleason, Source New Mexico

Proposals Floated for Streamlining Broadband Permitting

House Republicans and Democrats debated more funding, removing environmental reviews and putting a “shot clock” on approvals in an effort to get the $42 billion in funding to much-needed broadband projects faster.

  • By Kery Murakami

Could Infrastructure Dollars Solve the Lack of Broadband in Public Housing?

Nearly one million households that live in public housing units do not have access to the internet, according to a new report.

  • By Kery Murakami

The Barriers to Getting More Unconnected Households Online

A federal program meant to connect low-income households to the internet isn’t reaching all the people it is supposed to. Here’s how to change that.

  • By Molly Bolan

Key Steps in Creating a Diverse Broadband Workforce

COMMENTARY | States urgently need to identify and build robust workforces now or risk being left behind.

  • By Scott Jensen, Kelly Rogers and Kate Finnerty

In the Face of Extreme Floods, Rural Communities Lack Forecasting and Broadband

Plans are in place to address the urban observation bias in national weather prediction, but the other piece—reliable broadband—could still be years away for places like Eastern Kentucky.

  • By Anya Slepyan and Claire Carlson, The Daily Yonder

New HUD Playbook Guides Underserved Communities in Accessing Broadband Funding

It seeks to help public housing authorities, multifamily owners and operators, and tribes determine how to spend federal broadband money to close the digital divide.

  • By Molly Bolan

Broadband Equity Means Access and Adoption, Not Just Infrastructure Rollouts

Governments should not just install new infrastructure but ensure residents can take advantage of the access, experts say.

  • By Chris Teale

‘Whole Nation’ Effort Needed to Build Broadband Workforce

Federal investment could mean the creation of up to 150,000 broadband-related jobs, but state and local leaders must build robust apprenticeship programs and commit to diversity to make it happen.

  • By Chris Teale
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More Details Emerge on New York City Free Internet Pilot

Residents in Section 8 housing will be covered by a wireless mesh network under the program announced by Mayor Eric Adams.

  • By Chris Teale

Railroad Tracks Can be an Obstacle for High-Speed Internet Buildouts

State lawmakers are looking at the issue. Virginia’s Legislature wants to cap fees and streamline reviews for fiber infrastructure that crosses rail rights-of-way. Railroads say existing procedures are important for safety.

  • By Chris Teale

Senators Press FCC on Map That Will Guide Billions in Broadband Infrastructure Funding

State and local officials and others have raised questions about the accuracy of the The Federal Communications Commission map and the process to make corrections to it.

  • By Kery Murakami

How the Infrastructure Act Aims to Take On Digital Discrimination

The FCC is considering adopting a set of recommendations for state and local governments that would address disparities in broadband service.

  • By Kery Murakami

Fears Grow Over Plan to Distribute Billions in Broadband Dollars

State and local officials are raising alarm about what they say are major flaws with a federal map that will guide where the infrastructure money is sent. They want the Biden administration to extend a timeline for flagging the problems.

  • By Kery Murakami

Nonprofit Cites ‘Inaccuracies’ in New Broadband Maps

Open internet advocate Public Knowledge urged the FCC to clarify the challenge process, the availability of satellite internet and the role of anchor institutions.

  • By Chris Teale

New National Broadband Map Offers Granular Look at Service and Gaps

The draft release kicks off a process where states, localities and the general public can challenge inaccuracies. The new data will be crucial in guiding how the federal government divides billions in broadband funding between states.

  • By Kery Murakami

Construction Underway on 10,000-mile Open Access Broadband Network in California

The “middle mile” network is expected to cost $3.8 billion and help connect the roughly one in five state residents who do not have access to reliable and affordable high-speed internet.

  • By Chris Teale

How Much Are People Without High-Speed Internet Willing to Pay For It?

A new federal survey takes a look and finds that, for many who don’t have service because of the expense, the amount is $0.

  • By Kery Murakami