The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has approved a historic $40 million investment in internet connectivity, announcing the New Jersey Broadband Infrastructure Deployment Equity Pilot Program grant awardees.
NextLight, a community-owned fiber service provider in Longmont (CO), says its Internet Assistance Program—a substitute for the Affordable Connectivity Program—has experienced a 14 percent increase in subscribers in the year since its introduction. The IAP is an effort to provide broadband to economically challenged households. It was introduced in April 2024 as the ACP was about to be terminated. The service provides a $25 discount to qualifying households.
Astound Broadband has introduced a pricing structure—including a price lock offer—that it says will “eliminate confusion, offer greater value, and give customers full control over their connectivity.” Highlights of the offer:
Frontier Communications was the big winner in the second round of funding in the ConneCTed Communities Grant Program, a Connecticut broadband initiative. The awards, which total $9.9 million, will support build-out of broadband to approximately 3,802 residences and businesses in 44 towns and cities. The focus is on multi-dwelling units. The announcement was made by Governor Ned Lamont and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
The state of Oregon has opened its application window for broadband service providers and other entities applying for grants under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program. The program is being administered in the state by the Oregon Broadband Office. Oregon has $689 million to award for eligible projects, defined as qualifying last-mile broadband infrastructure to unserved (25/3 Mbps or less) and underserved (between 25/3 and 100/20 Mbps) locations. A 25% match is required of projects. The application cycle will close on May 22 at 5 p.m.
A conversation about what steps Congress should take to ensure Americans continue to have access to secure and reliable networks
South Central Connect (SCC) petitioned the Federal Communications Commission for (1) a waiver of the FCC’s Connect America Fund Phase II Auction (“CAF II”) default rules, and buildout obligations that are based on the FCC’s use of Connect America Cost Model (“CAM”) data; and (2) revision of SCC’s defined CAF II deployment obligations and support as identified by the CAM to reflect the number of actual locations on the ground as identified by Fabric data.
Republicans haven't passed up many opportunities to criticize the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program for its slow rollout over the past few years. Now they're adding on another 90 days of delays. In a notice sent to state broadband offices, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration gave states a blanket 90-day extension to submit their final proposals for BEAD money.
AT&T reported first-quarter 2025 financial results. Highlights include:
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