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  2. March 2024

March 2024

The Advantages of Equity Funding

A large majority of internet service providers seeking BEAD grants will be financing matching funds using loans. Matching funds are the contributions expected from providers—a 75 percent grant means 25 percent in matching funds. Very few providers carry enough cash on hand to consider using equity to pay for broadband expansion. This contrasts significantly with large telephone and cable companies that will be pursuing BEAD grants, most of whom will finance grants using equity. When it comes to financing using equity vs using loans, equity is the clear winner for the provider.

How Teens and Parents Approach Screen Time

Today’s teenagers are more digitally connected than ever. Most have access to smartphones and use social media, and nearly half say they are online almost constantly. But how are young people navigating this “always on” environment? To better understand their experiences, we surveyed both teens and parents on a range of screen time-related topics. Our questions explored the emotions teens tie to their devices, the impact of smartphones on youth, and the challenges parents face when raising children in the digital age. Key findings from the survey include:

5G spectrum debate heats up ahead of Biden's implementation plan

Spectrum is a hot topic in Washington these days, as lawmakers, lobbyists, regulators and others look for advantage ahead of the release of an implementation plan for the Biden administration's national spectrum strategy. The latest: A new bill from two top Republican Senators would require the government to reallocate at least 600MHz of midband spectrum for commercial use within three years.

Sens Cruz and Thune Unveil New Spectrum Pipeline Legislation to Spur Job Growth, Economic Prosperity

Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and John Thune (R-SD) unveiled legislation to expand commercial access to mid-band spectrum. Ahead of the expiration of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) spectrum auction authority in March 2022, Sens.

Presenting the 2024 Digital Equity Champions!

One of Net Inclusion’s cherished traditions is presenting the recipients of the prestigious Charles Benton Digital Equity Award. Named for Charles Benton, the founder of Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) created the awards to recognize leadership and dedication in advancing digital equity. Since NDIA’s creation of the award in 2016, we have recognized 15 Digital Equity Champions, and we are thrilled to welcome this year’s remarkable awardees:

Sponsor 

Federal Communications Commission

Date 
Thu, 05/23/2024 - 10:30

Topics selected for FCC open meeting agendas will be posted on the Commission's website approximately three weeks prior to the Commission's next monthly meeting. The Commission will also issue a public notice of the "Commission Meeting Agenda" one week before the meeting and announce at that time the items that are scheduled for the agenda.


Sponsor 

Federal Communications Commission

Date 
Thu, 04/25/2024 - 10:30

    Related Headlines 
    FCC Announces Tentative Agenda for April 2023 Open Meeting
    Sponsor 

    Federal Communications Commission

    Date 
    Thu, 04/04/2024 - 10:30

    CAC members will discuss:

    • the roles and responsibilities of the Committee and its members; 
    • issues the Committee will be asked to address; 
    • meeting schedules; and 
    • any other topics relevant to the CAC's work.

    Sponsor 

    Department of the Treasury

    Date 
    Thu, 06/06/2024 - 13:00 to Fri, 06/07/2024 - 15:00

    June 6th Time and Location

    1:00pm-5:00pm 

    U.S. Department of the Treasury
    1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
    Washington, D.C. 20220

    June 7th Time and Location

    9:30am-3:00pm

    The Brookings Institution
    1775 Massachusetts Ave., NW
    Washington, DC 20036

    Audience

    Invitation only

    Webcast

    The event will be streamed on the day of the conference.


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