Investing In America 2024
The U.S. cable industry plays a vital role in the country’s communications infrastructure. In 2024, it delivered 59% of all fixed internet connections, serving 80 million broadband subscribers nationwide.
September 2025
Jimmy Kimmel had to answer to the FCC. Internet comedians answer to the algorithm. (Washington Post)
Submitted by benton on Sun, 09/28/2025 - 16:12rand Farm is a collaborative network of growers, startups, corporations, researchers, educators, investors, and government partners working together to solve agricultural challenges through applied technology. Based in North Dakota, with projects and partnerships across the country, Grand Farm supports real-world testing and validation of technologies like autonomous equipment, IoT sensors, and AI-driven tools that rely on strong broadband infrastructure.
When disasters strike — whether floods, wildfires, tornadoes, or other crises — libraries emerge as essential community lifelines that extend far beyond their traditional role as repositories of books. These trusted institutions transform into emergency shelters, information hubs, and digital access points, providing vital services when other infrastructure fails.
This convening will focus on bringing together community leaders, advocates, and city agencies to highlight collaborative efforts in bridging the digital divide. Through panel discussions and guest speakers, the convening will showcase how New York City is advancing digital equity and building community-driven digital futures.
This year's theme, Community-Driven Digital Futures, will share the impact and importance of empowering communities to shape inclusive and sustainable solutions that will expand technology access, resources, and opportunities for all New Yorkers.
The Story of DOGE, as Told by Federal Workers (Wired)
Submitted by zwalker@benton.org on Fri, 09/26/2025 - 14:36
Broadband Affordability: Assessing the Cost of Broadband for Low-and-Moderate Income Communities in Cities
A new community-level measure of broadband affordability that considers local median monthly household income and costs of living relative to local costs for broadband. Key findings of the study include:
AT&T's copper retirement plan plows ahead
US telephone companies of varied shapes and sizes will be retiring portions of their copper networks in the years to come. However, none are currently attacking copper phase-outs like AT&T. AT&T's initiative is simply much more massive in size and scope. As announced in 2024, AT&T is on a mission to shut down power-hungry and broadly inefficient copper-based services across the bulk of its US footprint by the end of 2029. AT&T is making progress. The Federal Communications Commission recently approved AT&T to discontinue legacy services in about 10% of its footprint.
Analysts unearth the truth of what AI means for telephone companies
AI is changing the game in telecom, but it’s not just shaping how telcos operate. It’s also shifting what kinds of product sets customers expect from them. At Alianza’s Navigate event in Salt Lake City (UT), analysts broke down the threats and opportunities that are in front of operators. AI in the call center is one use case companies have latched on to as an easy internal AI target.