1. Monthly archive
  2. August 2025

August 2025

Consumers’ Research Continues Legal Attacks on USF

If you thought attacks on the constitutionality of the Universal Service Fund were over, think again. Consumers’ Research, Cause Based Commerce, Inc., and several individuals filed a comment with the Federal Communications Commission, urging the agency to set the USF contribution factor to zero. Despite the recent 6-3 Supreme Court 

First-level fundamentals: computer ownership is more important for internet benefits than in-home internet service

Although computers, smartphones, and internet service are essential 21st-century tools, digital equity stakeholders often focus on in-home internet service in their advocacy. Yet, few scholars have compared the associated benefits of different fundamental digital resources. In response, a cross-sectional analysis of two waves of U.S.

WOW! goes private in $1.5 Billion deal with Digital Bridge Group and Crestview Partners

The dominos just keep on falling with telecommunications consolidation, with operator WideOpenWest! officially going private. Private equity firms DigitalBridge and Crestview Partners announced plans to acquire the cable company for $1.5 billion. The deal, expected to close sometime in the first quarter of 2026, aims to help WOW! continue its ongoing cable upgrades and fiber expansion. The company's board of directors unanimously approved the transaction, with Crestview being WOW!'s largest shareholder.

Emergent Connext takes on rural connectivity challenge for agriculture

The “last mile” is often brought up as a critical part of rural broadband. Startup Emergent Connext meanwhile is looking to bring connectivity to the “first acre,” said CEO Mike Roudi. Emergent Connext specializes in low-power wide area network Internet of Things technology, which basically transmits sensor data over long distances.

Google Fiber skips public funding, expands gigabit internet in Colorado

The GFiber team recently broke ground for fiber-internet service that aims to cover unincorporated Douglas County (CO). “We try to put our infrastructure within the entire community and then we let people know that, hey, you’re eligible for Google Fiber service,” said Alberto Garcia, GFiber’s government and community affairs manager. “Our plan is to cover as many homes as possible.” GFiber is planning to expand in several more Denver-area communities, but also in other cities and towns around the state that want to work with the company.

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