SpaceX to acquire small satellite startup Swarm Technologies
Elon Musk’s SpaceX is acquiring the small-satellite data provider Swarm Technologies, scooping up the startup’s roughly 30 employees and its network of 120 tiny satellites.
August 2021
Tennessee to spend $500 million in American Rescue Plan funding on broadband
Tennessee will spend $500 million of its funding from the American Rescue Plan to expand broadband, though exactly where the money goes hinges on a statewide coverage map that’s still being developed.
Verizon announces extended EdTech initiatives
Verizon is doubling down on its commitment to help ensure no student is left behind, providing education technology resources in support of digital inclusion with a number of initiatives to integrate immersive STEM technology into classrooms and communities. This includes:
Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel's Response to Sens Wicker and Thune Regarding RDOF Auction
In July, Sens Roger Wicker (R-MS) and John Thune (R-SD) sent a letter to Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel to request a status update on the Federal Communications Commission's long-form application review process for the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) Phase I auction. On July 29, Chairwoman Rosenworcel replied.
Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel's Response to Lawmakers Regarding the GAO Lifeline Report
In the United States, we need to connect 100 percent of our households to broadband. The Lifeline program remains a valuable tool for helping achieve this goal, by making internet access more affordable.
Behind the AlCan ONE Network
MTA Fiber Holdings, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alaskan telecommunications cooperative MTA that is responsible for the creation of AlCan ONE, is the first-ever terrestrial fiber network connecting Alaska with the lower 48 US states. Alaskans previously relied solely on subsea cables for that connectivity, explained MTA CEO Michael Burke. MTA undertook the AlCan ONE project because, as Burke explained, “We needed to explore owner economics.” In making the decision to do the fiber build, MTA “looked at our projected capacity needs going into the future and how much bandwidth we would need [b
Dish to launch wireless 5G service in beta at end of September 2021
Dish Network said that its Las Vegas 5G wireless service is in the final phase of construction and will launch in beta by the end of September 2021. The beta launch is an important first step toward its commitment to covering 70 percent of the US population by June 2023, a target that’s looking more ambitious by the day as the company continues to lose wireless customers.
Why hospitals and healthcare organizations need to take cybersecurity more seriously (Brookings)
Submitted by grace@benton.org on Mon, 08/09/2021 - 14:55How not to waste $45 billion in broadband subsidies
In the middle of the pandemic, the Federal Communications Commission used a reverse auction process to save taxpayers about $7 billion on projected expenses of $16 billion for broadband service to unserved areas — nearly a 50 percent savings!