1. Monthly archive
  2. May 2020

May 2020

5G download speed is now faster than Wi-Fi in seven leading 5G countries but not the US

Opensignal’s latest analysis demonstrates that 5G greatly improves the real-world speeds that users experience. And, even more significantly, 5G offers faster average download speeds than Wi-Fi in seven out of eight leading 5G countries. The US is the exception, where Wi-Fi continues to offer a small edge over 5G because of the large number of US 5G users connecting on widely available, but relatively slow, 5G networks that are deployed using low spectrum bands.

Rebuild Rural Coalition urges Congress to prioritize rural infrastructure in next COVID-19 relief package

A letter to the bipartisan, bicameral leadership of Congress advocates for increased rural infrastructure funding in any future COVID-19 relief packages. The 258 local, state and national organizations called on Congress to “Ensure that our rural communities have access to: clean and safe drinking water and wastewater facilities, secure and dependable surface transportation, reliable and affordable power, healthcare, housing, and broadband and research institutions with state-of-the-art facilities, in order to thrive and attract future generations.

T-Mobile adds subscribers

T-Mobile added 452,000 branded postpaid phone subscriptions in the first quarter of 2020. Total branded postpaid net additions were 777,000 in the first quarter. Prepaid net losses were 128,000, yielding 649,000 total branded net adds for the quarter. Adjusted EBITDA hit an all-time record high of $3.7 billion, up 12% year-over-year despite the environment created by COVID-19. Free cash flow, excluding payments for merger-related costs, was $893 million, up 37% year-over-year.

West Virginia Senators Introduce Eliminating Barriers to Rural Internet Development Grant Eligibility (E-BRIDGE) Act

Sens Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today introduced the Eliminating Barriers to Rural Internet Development Grant Eligibility (E-BRIDGE) Act, which would remove obstacles for broadband projects to receive Economic Development Administration (EDA) grants.

Sponsor 

Senate Commerce Committee

Date 
Wed, 05/13/2020 - 15:00

he hearing will examine the ongoing initiatives led by the Federal Communications Commission to maintain and expand high-speed and reliable broadband connections to all Americans during this national public health emergency. The hearing will also examine the impact of funds provided through the CARES Act to support broadband initiatives at the federal, state, and local levels, and legislative proposals focused on addressing the digital divide during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Witnesses


Sponsor 

Schools Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition

Date 
Fri, 05/29/2020 - 18:00

Broadband legislation is having an unprecedented moment - a reaction to the urgent need to expedite connectivity amid COVID-19. Congress is considering bills to add $2 billion to the Rural Health Care Program, $4 billion to the E-rate program, $1 billion for Lifeline, $80 billion for broadband infrastructure, and $1.2 billion for digital literacy. Tune into SHLB's legislative update to hear from the key Congressional staff who are driving the effort to fund broadband connectivity for anchor institutions and everyone.


Related Headlines 
Broadband 'In The Game' for COVID Relief

Republican Senate Commerce Committee Members Introduce COVID-19 Consumer Data Protection Act

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Sens John Thune (R-SD), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced the COVID-19 Consumer Data Protection Act. The legislation would provide all Americans with more transparency, choice, and control over the collection and use of their personal health, device, geolocation, and proximity data. The bill would also hold businesses accountable to consumers if they use personal data to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 Consumer Data Protection Act would:

Sens Wyden, Harris, Booker Push Comcast to Open Public Wi-Fi to Students Lacking Access at Home During COVID-19

Sens Ron Wyden (D-OR), Kamala Harris (D-CA), and Cory Booker (D-NJ) urged Comcast to open all of its public Wi-Fi networks to the approximately 12 million American students who lack internet access at home, as schools rely on online education as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. In a letter to Comcast, the lawmakers wrote, “Comcast has taken important steps to help Americans get connected during this global public health emergency. But it can—and should—do more to help children and teachers in Oregon and across the country.

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