1. Monthly archive
  2. May 2020

May 2020

Land O’Lakes offering free Wi-Fi to rural communities. Will other companies follow?

Arden Hills (MN) member-owned agricultural cooperative Land O'Lakes has started offering free Wi-Fi to various rural communities across the country that might not otherwise have access. It’s an initiative Land O’Lakes has been talking about for awhile, according to Chief Technology Officer Teddy Bekele. And with everyone shifting to life online during the COVID-19 crisis, the digital divide in rural communities has been further exacerbated.

Senator Kennedy urges FCC to buy American satellites for 5G services

Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai requesting that the FCC use C-band auction funds to purchase satellites from US manufacturers to support American workers and families. “Given that U.S. taxpayers are effectively footing the bill for these assets—assets that are already owned by the taxpayer—it makes good sense to require an investment in the American industrial base.

Sinclair Agrees to Pay $48 Million Civil Penalty; FCC Penalty Will Be Largest Ever Paid by a Broadcaster

The Federal Communications Commission announced the largest civil penalty involving a broadcaster in the agency’s 86-year history. Specifically, Sinclair Broadcasting Group has agreed to pay a $48 million civil penalty and abide by a strict compliance plan in order to close three open investigations. This penalty is twice the prior record for a broadcaster, which was the $24 million paid by Univision in 2007.

Sponsor 

University of Illinois Extension Local Government Education Program, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Illinois Office of Broadband, and Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

Date 
Wed, 05/20/2020 - 16:30 to 18:00

Internet has never been more important in facilitating daily activities. Households with quality broadband connections can work, learn, heal, shop, and interact to an extent not thought previously possible.

The unconnected – generally older, poorer, rural, and people of color – add connectivity to their list of challenges while educators, employers, healthcare professionals, retailers, and family members struggle to maintain connections.  


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