1. Monthly archive
  2. May 2020

May 2020

Shelter-in-Place Orders Underscore Rural Internet Limitations

New York State's Public Service Commission required Spectrum Internet, formed by the Time Warner Cable-Charter Communications merger, to significantly boost internet speeds upstate and expand broadband service to 145,000 residential units that currently don't have it. Lara Pritchard, a Charter spokesperson, claimed the company has completed the extension of its network to 100,421 new homes and businesses as of Jan. 31, 2020, which she claims is 13,000 ahead of the PSC schedule. Charter plans to meet the state requirement of 145,000 by Sept. 30, 2021, she said. 

AT&T, Verizon part of new 31-member Open RAN Policy Coalition

A new coalition, backed by a wide range of players in the mobile ecosystem --, including U.S. operators AT&T and Verizon -- has formed to advocate for government policy that helps drive open radio access network (RAN) adoption to fund research and development of open and interoperable 5G networks. Executive director for the 31-member Open RAN Policy Coalition, launched today, is former Acting Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Diane Rinaldo.

Crisis Innovation: Supporting an Unprecedented Network Surge While Still Building for the Future

2020 has demonstrated the resilience of our network plan we laid out over half a decade ago. And it’s given us all the motivation we could ever need to continue connecting Americans and first responders through FirstNet, fiber, 5G and more. We recently wrote a whitepaper titled “7 Principles of AT&T’s Network Transformation” that summarizes the next phase of our network journey.

Frontier Files Response on Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Challenge

On May 1, 2020, Frontier respond to NTCA, NRECA and WISPA, who questioned claims made in Frontier’s challenge to the list of census blocks deemed initially eligible in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) Phase I auction. Frontier confirmed the vast majority of the census blocks listed in its challenge represent existing builds, including those undertaken as part of the Connect America Fund II program over the past five years.

Sponsor 

Representative Brenda L. Lawrence (MI-14)

FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks

Date 
Thu, 05/07/2020 - 18:00

This event will explore how the digital divide has exacerbated already existing inequities that impact the city of Detroit and other similarly situated cities in Michigan and throughout the United States. Panelists will present solutions for addressing the digital divide on a local, state, and federal level and will particularly focus on the urgent matter of connecting children, low-income communities, and communities of color to affordable and reliable broadband.

Confirmed Panelists


Sponsor 

NetGain Partnership

Date 
Wed, 06/10/2020 - 17:00

The proliferation of COVID-19 disinformation and misinformation on the internet has increased denial and uncertainty about the outbreak across the internet, while hateful content and speech has further stoked xenophobia and racism. Moreover, social media platforms from Facebook (including Instagram and Whatsapp) and Twitter to Google and YouTube, platforms are facing increased pressure to quickly respond to disinformation, fraud, online hate during the pandemic. What is the state of COVID-19 related information and news on social media?


Sponsor 

NetGain Partnership

Date 
Wed, 05/27/2020 - 17:00

COVID-19 has further exposed the major gaps in workplace protections and benefits for big tech’s contractors and employees. Amid the pandemic, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos’ wealth has grown by $24 billion, while frontline Amazon workers who have protested for protective equipment, hazard pay, and expanded sick leave have been fired in retaliation. Although the relief bill that was recently signed will provide short-term support for some workers at Uber, Lyft, Postmates, Instacart, and Amazon, many of these workers are not entitled to workers’ compensation, health care benefits, or sick pay.


Sponsor 

NetGain Partnership

Date 
Wed, 05/13/2020 - 17:00

COVID-19 has exposed the susceptibility of our democratic processes to digital shortcomings, including increasing uncertainty around the ability to carry out free, fair, and safe elections in 2020 as well as the already present challenges of a high tech census. Across the country, advocates and campaigns are also facing a new reality as community education, outreach, and offline mobilization grinds to a halt, and organizations must rely on digital formats to carry out their work plans.


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