Broadband

Higher minimum broadband speeds reflect internet’s growth

The FCC last raised the standard definition of broadband in 2015. Since then, demand from users has soared, prompting some to call for raising that standard as states prepare to build more infrastructure.

AT&T, the broadband conundrum and a $204 million tax exemption

The tax break was the latest in favorable legislation for the state’s top political spender.

Rural Texas may lose out on billions in broadband infrastructure funding due to federal regulations

Grant applicants are required to have a line of credit from a major bank and put up 25% of the project cost ahead of time. That will likely disqualify many small internet service providers in rural areas.

States have broadband money. Now they just have to figure out how to spend it.

States have less than six months to submit their plans to the federal government on how they will spend their allotment of the $42.5 billion to build out the nation’s broadband.

How cities can navigate their state’s broadband preemption laws

The National League of Cities takes a look at how municipalities can expand broadband even when state authority may limit their ability to do so.

More than $42 billion in broadband funding allocations announced

President Joe Biden released how much each state will receive in funding under the bipartisan infrastructure law to expand access to high speed internet in America’s under- and unserved communities.

Women are part of ‘invisible’ labor market building fiber networks

An ambitious broadband expansion in Maine is creating demand for more workers to hang fiber. Women are increasingly responding to the opportunity.

3 Simple Steps to Improve Digital Government

COMMENTARY | A customer-centric approach to digital government can help agencies connect more individuals and families with critical services and strengthen the bonds of trust between government and those they serve.

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 billion in broadband funding.

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.

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.

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.

Solving digital inequity with resident input

The Golden State wants to hear from the public about their broadband connections and device accessibility to better understand how to address digital equity barriers.

Building better maps with open data on building heights

To inform broadband buildouts, positioning of solar panels and development of digital twins, state and local agencies can now tap into open building height data.

6G promises immersive communications for public safety

The next-generation cellular network is poised to massively upgrade situational awareness for public safety agencies, experts say.

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.

Inside one state’s decade-long effort to map broadband availability

Thanks to its detailed data on household internet availability and speed, Colorado has been able to make the most of federal broadband funding opportunities.

Iowa agency realignment includes tech tweaks

The new law calls for the consolidation of common tech services and makes the Iowa Communications Network a non-cabinet agency.

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.

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.