Internet/Broadband

As organizations committed to positive change and public policy that advances opportunity, equity, and progress for all Americans, we urge you to prioritize funding to extend the landmark Affordable Connectivity Program in any new spending package or legislation. ACP is a true bipartisan success story – growing out of initiatives supported by the current and prior Administrations and the broad, national consensus in support of universal access to affordable broadband.

I’m here today to talk about something that doesn’t get enough attention: the progress we’re making to invest in America — in American workers, in American products — to invest in America.  That’s what we’re doing: bringing work, opportunity, and hope to people and communities all across this country.....We’re making sure every American ...

The University of Hawaiʻi (UH) and Ocean Networks, Inc. (ONI) announce a $120 million, public-private partnership to construct a submarine optical fiber cable system that will connect the Hawaiian Islands and improve and expand high-speed broadband internet throughout the state. The project, the Hawaiian Islands Fiber Link (HIFL), is a key component of Connect Kākou, the state's broadband initiative, a top priority of the Governor Josh Green administration. Under the direction of Lt.

Broadband internet access is central to our society and economy. Tens of billions of dollars are now being allocated for construction of new last mile connections.

Congress has recently committed tens of billions of dollars to broadband deployment, but taxing broadband grants dramatically reduces their impact.

The state of Oklahoma has tentatively announced $374 million in broadband funding awards to AT&T, Cox and 29 smaller providers. Funding came through the federal American Rescue Plan Act State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. Awardees will contribute an additional $90 million to project costs. More than 55,000 locations are expected to get high-speed service. As with many other state broadband funding programs, competition was intense. Applicants requested a total of more than $5.1 billion in funding. Awards were made through the Oklahoma Broadband Office.

It’s unfortunate that this couldn’t have happened sooner, but the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently released a public notice seeking input on the challenge process for the Broadband Data Collection that the commission undertakes twice yearly. Broadband providers are required to report on broadband availability, and the data ultimately is used to update the National Broadband Map.

Comcast lost 34,000 broadband customers across consumer and business channels in the fourth quarter and bled 64,000 subscribers for the full 2023, results that might have tanked the cable company's stock in previous quarters. But the company’s shares are up nearly 4 percent. Sure, good news from theme parks and streaming platform Peacock have a lot to do with that.

In separate conversations with the leaders of two internet service providers, both mentioned that the wind down of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is at the top of their things-that-keep-me-up-at-night list. Despite the stereotypical caricature of CEOs, these leaders were sincerely concerned and grappling with how to tell customers. This got me thinking about the true cost and fall out from the termination of the ACP.

The Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA) sent a letter to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) raising concerns that multiple states will fail to reach all unserved locations by funding fiber over other technologies. The concern comes as the NTIA is working on approving initial proposals for how each state and territory will conduct its Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) grant program.