The Federal Communications Commission demanded a total of $1.18 million be repaid to American taxpayers by Boomerang Wireless and Assist Wireless for overpayment of reimbursement claims they made and received for connected devices provided to consumers as part of COVID-era connectivity programs. The companies had sought reimbursement of as much as $100 per tablet for devices that were widely available for half that price. The companies have 30 days to pay the full amount to the U.S. Treasury.

Comcast has extended its network to more than 32,000 homes and businesses across 16 rural counties in Florida. The expansion is funded through a public-private $322 million partnership with the state’s Broadband Opportunity Program and Capital Projects Fund, and brings gigabit-plus internet, mobile, entertainment, and home security services via Xfinity and Comcast Business to previously underserved communities.

Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY) announced 15 broadband infrastructure awards through the Municipal Infrastructure Program (MIP), Affordable Housing Connectivity Program (AHCP), and Deployment Program County Partnerships totaling $52.6 million.

Digital access is at an all-time high in California—but progress has slowed since the early days of the pandemic.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr circulated an order that would save the American public millions of dollars by rejecting a request to expand a COVID-era waiver. Specifically, the circulated order denies a request by Lifeline providers to extend the FCC’s waiver of the program’s non-usage rules.

AT&T and Mississippi have entered into contracts to expand AT&T Fiber internet across the state. More than 5,300 residential and business locations in portions of Hinds, Rankin, Leake, and Neshoba Counties will get expanded broadband as a part of the $30.5 million public-private project that is expected to deliver high-speed internet. AT&T says the company will expand fiber broadband to nearly 1,600 homes and small businesses. State officials used federal funds made available by the American Rescue Plan Act to help bring fiber internet to the area.

Many more Americans are online today than in 2017. But growth in adoption of digital subscription plans has slowed.

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein announced more than $58 million in Completing Access to Broadband program projects to connect 10,076 households and businesses in 26 counties to high-speed internet. These projects will be funded by more than $41 million from the federal American Rescue Plan awarded by the North Carolina Department of Information Technology and individual counties, as well as more than $17 million from the selected broadband providers.

Lightcurve and Kittitas County (WA) announced a partnership to build fiber networks that will bring high-speed internet to rural Kittitas communities. The new fiber builds—slated for completion in Fall 2025—will improve connectivity for Kittitas residents and local businesses. Kittitas County received $3.3 million in funding through the Washington State Public Works Board Broadband Program ARPA Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund Grant. The grant is designed to bring high-speed broadband internet to unserved or underserved communities.

Kinetic and Thomas County announced the completion of a nearly $13.3 million fiber optic expansion project. Kinetic, the State of Georgia, and 25 counties have partnered to invest over $354 million in Georgia broadband infrastructure development since the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was signed into law in 2021. The Thomas County project has been generously funded through a combination of more than $6.8 million from the State Fiscal Recovery Fund (SFRF), and a county match of $1.3 million.