Broadband
Key takeaways from the Explore Act, one of the largest outdoor recreation bills ever
The proposal will streamline the permitting process for outdoor recreation companies, study internet access at National Parks, identify potential long distance bike trails and paths, and support recreation and tourism economies and towns.
Rural students’ access to Wi-Fi is in jeopardy as pandemic-era resources recede
COMMENTARY | Internet access among rural students had begun to decline in 2022, putting them at significant educational disadvantage compared with their better-connected peers. This trend is likely to accelerate with the end of the Affordable Connectivity Program.
New FCC broadband standard increases the number of ‘underserved’ households in America
An estimated 22 million Americans still lack home broadband access, according to a new report. But that number could be higher after the FCC increased the definition of what constitutes broadband.
End of internet subsidies for low-income households threatens telehealth access
Telehealth enables preventative care and keeps people out of emergency rooms, so loss of the subsidy will have real impacts on health outcomes, experts warn.
Without federal internet subsidies, state efforts to offer low-cost broadband could be impacted
The end of the Affordable Connectivity Program will not only impact the 23 million households participating, but also those who live in areas where broadband is being built out.
Congress finally approves spending budget, nearly six months late
The vote in the House and Senate averts a shutdown and brings funding certainty. But several programs significant to state and local governments will see cuts.
Spending package cuts grants to cities to help with influx of migrants
The six spending bills also fail to fund internet subsidies and security for places of worship.
23M low-income households appear set to lose internet subsides
Congressional leaders did not include funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program in its final six spending bills.
In rural Arizona, Maricopa County uses tech to make voting more secure
Providing voting access in rural areas has long been a challenge in the state, and across the country. Now, Maricopa county is hosting a big test of its efforts to improve access to the ballot in remote polling locations.
States, feds at odds over low-cost broadband option
Virginia says it’s unlawful to set a price for how much a company receiving federal broadband grants can charge low-income households. The feds disagree. They are withholding funding until the state sets a limit.
More than 17M low-income households will experience service disruptions if internet subsidy ends
Without the the Affordable Connectivity program, millions of families could lose internet access that they rely on for work, school and health care, new survey data shows.
Biden administration waives certain ‘Build America’ requirements for broadband
Even with the waiver, though, the administration estimates that roughly 90% of funding for equipment will still be used to purchase U.S.-made products.
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