1. Monthly archive
  2. January 2025

January 2025

Illinois Releases BEAD Application Guidelines, Prioritizes Hard-to-Serve Units

Illinois is the next state to release its Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program application guidelines. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration awarded Illinois $1.04 billion in federal BEAD Program funds to expand high-speed internet access to all homes and businesses. Connect Illinois Round 4 will use these funds to provide broadband to unserved and underserved locations and eligible community anchor institutions.

Making Broadband More Affordable: Governor Hochul Announces More Than $13.1 Million in New Broadband Awards to Secure Long-Term, Low-Cost Access for Thousands of New Yorkers in Public and Affordable Housing

Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY) announced the first grant awards under the Affordable Housing Connectivity Program that will deliver high-speed internet to thousands of lower income households. The inaugural awards from the Affordable Housing Connectivity Program will provide broadband service at $10 per month and Gigabit-speed service at $30 per month to an anticipated 14,167 lower income households across Buffalo, Rochester, upper Manhattan and the Bronx through 2034.

Sponsor 

Senate Commerce Committee

Date 
Wed, 01/29/2025 - 10:00

A nomination hearing for Howard Lutnick, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be U.S. Secretary of Commerce. The nomination hearing will immediately follow an executive session to consider the rules governing the committee for the 119th Congress, which will begin at 10:00 AM EST on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.

Witness

Howard Lutnick, of New York, to be Secretary of Commerce


Related Headlines 
Commerce Nominee Defends Trump Tariffs and Promises Strong Stance on China
Analysis

How Everyone On Navigates Change to Deliver Digital Equity

Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

Thursday, January 23, 2025

Notice Of Recission Of Federal Communications Commission's Equity Action Plan And Related Materials

Pursuant to the Executive Orders titled “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing” and the Executive Order titled “Initial Recissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions” issued by President Donald J. Trump on January 20, 2025, the Federal Communications Commission is rescinding its Equity Action Plan and all related materials and has discontinued www.fcc.gov/equity. 

FTC Chairman Ferguson Announces that DEI is Over at the FTC

DEI is a scourge on our institutions. It denies to all Americans the Constitution’s promise of equality before the law. It divides people into castes on the basis of immutable characteristics, and treats them as caste members rather than as individuals. It stokes tensions by elevating race and other immutable characteristics above merit and excellence. It promotes invidious discrimination. And it violates federal and natural law. I taken the following actions to protect the FTC’s employees and the American people from DEI:

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