1. Monthly archive
  2. May 2025

May 2025

Sponsor 

Federal Communications Commission

Date 
Wed, 05/28/2025 - 12:00 to 15:00

Speakers

  • Commissioner Anna M. Gomez, Federal Communications Commission
  • Representative Raul Ruiz, M.D.
  • Dr. Safiya U. Noble, MacArthur Fellowship recipient and UCLA professor
  • Alejandra Santamaria, president and CEO, Southern California Public Radio
  • Gabriel Lerner, editor emeritus of La Opinión
  • Jessica J. González, Co-CEO, Free Press

The Bundle Battle: Why Rural Broadband Providers Must Pay Attention to Wireless

Bundling smartphone and home broadband services is a simple idea that’s proving to be a powerful competitive force: People want fewer bills, more savings, and seamless connectivity. These bundles are resonating with customers. And now, the time is coming when rural and regional broadband operators may need to offer something similar.  For a long time, rural broadband providers enjoyed relatively stable market conditions. But those market dynamics are starting to evolve. New technologies and new investment – both public and private – are reshaping what rural connectivity looks like.

Surf Internet Breaks Ground This Week on New Fiber-Optic Network in Troy Grove, Illinois

Surf Internet is kicking off construction of a new fiber-optic network that will bring high-speed internet to 145 addresses across the Village of Troy Grove (IL)––including apartment units, municipal buildings, businesses, and dozens of single-family homes. Construction is expected to be completed later in the summer of 2025.

Metronet Expands to Prescott Valley, Growing Its Arizona Network

Metronet will bring its 100 percent fiber-optic internet to Prescott Valley (AZ). The project, made possible through a privately funded $18.5 million investment from Metronet, marks the company's third community in Arizona.

On the verge of a digital divide in the use of generative AI?

The launch of ChatGPT in late 2022 has generalized the availability of chatbots with generative artificial intelligence capabilities for end users. From here, the question is whether this technology is being used equally by all user groups or rather whether we may be at the beginning of a new digital divide. The present study addresses this question by using a well-designed, nationwide survey with data on AI chatbot use. Binary and ordered logit regression models are estimated for the actual AI chatbot use.

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