1. Monthly archive
  2. November 2024

November 2024

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month: Empowering Native Communities Through Digital Equity

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration understands that expanding digital equity advances Native nations and Indigenous communities’ access to critical services such as education, healthcare, and economic development. This year, NTIA is highlighting a key funding opportunity through our Digital Equity Act Programs, which provide vital support to Native entities working to bridge the digital divide.

The Road to Broadband for All: Internet as a Public Good and Civil Right: A Small Scale Survey

In an era where internet access is as essential as water and electricity, many residents in Los Angeles remain digitally left behind due to rising costs, poor service quality, and discrimination. This report delves into the growing movement for publicly owned internet services, highlighting successful municipal broadband for all initiatives across the nation. These initiatives have proven effective in increasing access, lowering costs, and fostering stronger community engagement.

Affordable Internet Helps Communities Weather the Storm

Today, internet connectivity is critical for everyone. But for many, having a reliable connection can mean the difference between life and death. This is especially true in communities facing natural disasters. From hurricanes to wildfires, droughts to tornadoes, the crises that hit households across the country each year highlight the need for reliable, affordable internet to keep families connected and emergency services accessible.

FCC Announces Tentative Agenda for December Open Meeting

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced that the items below are tentatively on the agenda for the December Open Commission Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, December 11, 2024: 

U.S. AI Safety Institute Establishes New U.S. Government Taskforce to Collaborate on Research and Testing of AI Models to Manage National Security Capabilities & Risks

The U.S. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced the formation of the Testing Risks of AI for National Security (TRAINS) Taskforce, which brings together partners from across the U.S. Government to identify, measure, and manage the emerging national security and public safety implications of rapidly evolving AI technology. This announcement comes as the United States is set to host the first-ever convening of the International Network of AI Safety Institutes in San Francisco.

The Affordability of BEAD: Low-Cost Options in Every State

There is wide range of speculation on how the outcome of the election will change the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program to deploy high-speed internet networks to every unserved location in the country.

A year after ditching waitlist, Starlink says it is “sold out” in parts of US

The Starlink waitlist is back in certain parts of the US, including several large cities on the West Coast and in Texas. The Starlink availability map says the service is sold out in and around Seattle and Spokane, Washington; Portland, Oregon; San Diego; Sacramento, California; and Austin, Texas. Neighboring cities and towns are included in the sold-out zones.

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