The North Carolina Department of Information Technology announced the launch of the state’s $17 million Digital Opportunity grant program, which will expand North Carolinians’ access to digital devices, help desk and technical support, as well as digital skills and online safety programs.
Chinese officials acknowledged in a secret December 2024 meeting that Beijing was behind a widespread series of alarming cyberattacks on U.S. infrastructure, underscoring how hostilities between the two superpowers are continuing to escalate. The Chinese delegation linked years of intrusions into computer networks at U.S. ports, water utilities, airports and other targets, to increasing U.S.
Groups recommended for digital equity grants from the federal government have not been notified of a pause on funds. Entities did receive notice that travel related to diversity efforts would not be an allowable expense. The Free Press reported the Trump administration had frozen funding for two programs under the Digital Equity Act, totaling about $2.7 billion.
T-Mobile is asking the Federal Communications Commission for permission to expand its SpaceX satellite messaging service to more phones. The reason the request is necessary? Paperwork. According to T-Mobile, the issue centers on obscure FCC waivers and authorizations for SCS services as well as for standard smartphones.
The National Digital Inclusion Alliance is thrilled to publish the first set of many resources and tools for our community that shine a light on the work of digital inclusion coalitions across the country. We’re sharing an interactive map and visualizations of coalitions that feature a breakdown of 85 coalitions representing statewide, regional, and local (municipal and county) levels of geography. We recommend that you use these tools to gather contact information for any listed coalition to get connected with leaders across the country and learn more about their important work.
Sen Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, called on Senate colleagues to reject Trump nominee Mark Meador for a spot on the Federal Trade Commission after firing the two Democratic Commissioners without cause and undermining the FTC’s independence and history of protecting consumers from fraud, scams and anti-competitive practices, free from political influence. “Ninety years ago, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the law that affirmed that FTC Commissioners should be protected and removed only for cause,”
The National Digital Inclusion Alliance has worked with and learned from the thousands of people on the ground in communities across the country who are doing the important work of narrowing the digital divide. Along the way, we've learned about five essentials for running successful digital navigator programs:
In the 20th century, connecting your house to the electric grid was the best way to experience the rapidly evolving world. These days, the best way to engage with modern society is undoubtedly the internet. The name of the game is broadband internet. That means a connection fast enough to stream TV at home, connect computers in a school, or manage a small business. And while internet speeds in urban areas continue to get faster, about a quarter of people living in rural or tribal communities are still stuck using slow connections.
Rep Dave Taylor (R-OH-2) introduced the Bridging the Broadband Gap Act, which will prioritize the affordability and expansion of broadband to rural communities through satellite and fixed-wireless broadband. This bill will allow states to use funds from the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment Program to pay for 50 percent of the initial cost of a satellite or fixed wireless receiver and $30 of each monthly bill for the first year of service.
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