Broadband

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

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
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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

Broadband’s Rural Reach: How Electric Co-ops Reduce the Digital Divide

The Virginia, Maryland and Delaware Association of Broadband Cooperatives plans to connect 200,000 rural residents via fiber within five years.

  • By Chris Teale

Communities Collect Granular Broadband Data Amid Wait for Better Federal Maps

Whether gathering address-level availability data from internet service providers or anecdotal evidence from households, communities are working to get a baseline understanding of local broadband access.

  • By Chris Teale

A Plan to Connect Public Housing Residents to Free Broadband

New York City's “Big Apple Connect” calls for more than 200 developments owned by the city’s housing authority to connect 300,000 residents to high-speed internet by the end of 2023.

  • By Chris Teale

Federal Grants for Broadband Expansion Begin to Flow

Louisiana is the first state to receive planning dollars from a pair of high-speed internet programs in the infrastructure law. Funding is expected to reach other states soon.

  • By Bill Lucia

How One City Delivers Broadband to Homes and Businesses at No Cost to Municipality

The partnership gives SiFi Networks right-of-way access to install fiber for its open access network in the Texas town—and even pays the city a licensing fee.

  • By Chris Teale

Could Investments in Community Broadband Bridge the Digital Divide?

COMMENTARY | These locally owned and operated broadband networks can bring down prices, expand coverage and increase competition.

  • By Sophie Weng

Bill Aims To Reclassify Broadband As Essential To Promote Net Neutrality

Two Democratic senators unveiled a new bill to codify broadband as an essential service and prevent discriminatory practices.

  • By Alexandra Kelley

Rural Areas in 11 States to Receive $401M for High-speed Internet

The Agriculture Department says the grants and loans will help to improve service for 31,000 customers.

  • By Kery Murakami