January 2025

Sens Collins, King Applaud $24 Million Investment to Expand Maine Broadband and Digital Skills Training

Sens Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) are announcing the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is awarding $24.8 million to expand broadband and digital skills training across Maine. Awarded through the NTIA’s Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program, this Maine funding will ensure communities have the access and skills to fully participate in the digital world, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Fiber Broadband Association Reports Record Fiber-To-The-Home Deployment in 2024

The Fiber Broadband Association announced the results of the Fiber Deployment survey by RVA LLC Market Research & Consulting (RVA). The survey concludes fiber broadband deployments reached a new annual record of 10.3 million U.S. homes passed in 2024. Including homes with more than one passing, there are now a total 88.1 million homes passed with fiber in the U.S.

The Constantly Moving Maps of Virginia Broadband

Virginia has made significant progress in providing high-speed connectivity to all its households and businesses over the past decade and anticipates using $1.43 billion in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding to reach 100 percent connectivity to all addresses in the next few years.

Virginia Broadband Project Rescopes

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has formally received two project rescope requests from the following Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) awardees to rescope their current VATI project area to

Broadband Policy Toolkit

Broadband policy can be a complex subject, but it is essential for households and businesses to participate in the modern economy. Both directly and indirectly, lawmakers are routinely engaged in broadband issues given its ever-increasing intersection with economic development, health care, agriculture and education. States have a long track record with driving broadband policy, and in recent years several states have passed broadband legislation to take full advantage of the latest federal investments in broadband infrastructure.

NaLA Releases Findings from Annual Consumer Survey

NaLA’s Annual Consumer Survey sheds light on life without the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Results from over 68,000 respondents, collected between November 1 and 20, 2024, highlight the critical need for the Lifeline and ACP programs to connect low-income households. This year, NaLA’s survey also included more than 30,000 personal testimonies from Lifeline and/or former ACP participants. These stories underscore the profound impact of both programs on consumers and the urgent need for continued support. Key findings include:

How Everyone On Navigates Change to Deliver Digital Equity

Everyone On is a national nonprofit organization that has operated digital equity and inclusion programs since 2012.

Louisiana’s Broadband BEAD Program and Proposed Reforms for Success under President Trump

I would greatly appreciate having the opportunity to serve as a thought partner and sounding board as you make necessary reforms to the National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) and the Broadband Equity Access Deployment (BEAD) Program. To get started on the reforms that would result in shovels in the ground quickly, I would propose the following based on our hard-won experience as the first state in the nation to achieve every major program milestone: