October 2023

Measuring incumbent ISP response to municipal broadband opt-out referenda in Colorado

This paper examines how the quality of Internet service from existing providers is affected when voters in Colorado approve referenda eliminating a barrier to their local governments providing broadband service. Using a difference-in-differences framework, the research design exploits variation in the timing of a community’s approval of a referendum in order to examine whether incumbent private providers adjust their speed offerings in response to the signal that public entry is more likely.

How to Remedy Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Setbacks in Bridging the Digital Divide

How Congress, the federal Executive Branch, state and local governments, and carriers can forestall likely, measurable declines in broadband geographical penetration and subscription rates achieved during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, a look at the reforms needed to make ongoing universal service subsidy programs sustainable and more effective in achieving additional progress in bridging the Digital Divide as emergency grant programs wind down.

Network Neutrality Redux and the Return of Falsehoods and Disinformation

Despite vowing to eschew involvement in the latest Network Neutrality drama, I cannot sit back and let stand the resumption of the distorted gospel preached by the anti-network neutrality crowd.  This group has legitimate criticisms, many of which I have tried, via hundreds of law review pages—to analyze, and even endorse, in specific instances. Network neutrality regulation will not create a suffocating Internet rate regulation regime. The Democratic majority has clearly exempted broadband internet access from Title II common rate regulation.

Sponsor 

Fiber Broadband Association

Date 
Wed, 10/25/2023 - 10:00 to 10:40

Tribal lands have traditionally had less access to high-speed broadband than the rest of America. While roughly 15% of Americans don’t have access to high-speed broadband, this increases to over 35% in tribal lands. The Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program under NTIA sets aside $3B for deployment and adoption of broadband in Tribal Lands.



The key to moving digital equity forward? Storytelling and collaboration, national advocates say

Moving digital equity forward requires getting people in power to care. Francella Ochillo, the former executive director of Next Century Cities, says the starting point for tackling digital equity is acknowledging that some people have better, faster and cheaper access to technology, and some people are left to rely on public resources.

Letter Regarding Critical National Security Funding Needs for FY 2024

Over the coming weeks, the Administration looks forward to continued engagement with members of both parties to reach a comprehensive, bipartisan agreement to fund the Government and invest in critical national priorities. As part of that process, the Congress has an opportunity and obligation to advance our national security by addressing critical needs that should earn bipartisan support. I am writing to provide you with the President’s request for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 emergency supplemental funding for these key national security priorities.