Press Release

DigitalC has teamed up with Meta to make high-speed internet available to residents of four public housing developments in Cleveland. The partnership includes the funding, installation and delivery of fixed wireless internet services that will support more than 1,000 households with low-cost, high-speed internet. As part of DigitalC’s mission-driven, fixed wireless internet service, EmpowerCLE+, and Meta’s efforts to help expand and improve connectivity, more than 1,530 Cleveland households have been connected to broadband service across the Cleveland metro region. 

The Public Library Association (PLA) has selected 160 public libraries to host digital literacy workshops across the country.

Throughout the summer of 2022, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) brought in top-tier talent to lead its key offices. The NTIA announced that Scott Blake Harris has joined the Office of the Assistant Secretary as Senior Spectrum Advisor.

Community specialists with Washington State University (WSU) Extension are partnering with the Washington State Broadband Office (WSBO) to enhance the capacity of Washington communities, especially those in rural and remote areas, to provide better and more equitable access to reliable, high-speed internet.

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced his agency has selected data company LightBox to develop the state’s broadband availability map. The map will help the Comptroller’s Broadband Development Office (BDO) determine where to invest public funding in areas most in need of broadband connectivity as it implements the Texas Broadband Plan. LightBox, which provides a geospatial mapping service, also has been employed by state officials in Georgia, Alabama and Montana to help create detailed broadband coverage maps.

Gov Mike Dunleavy (R-AK) signed House Bill 363 establishing the Office of Broadband, creating the broadband parity adjustment fund, and establishing the Statewide Broadband Advisory Board. The bill, introduced by State Representative Bryce Edgmon, carries out recommendations made by Governor Dunleavy’s Task Force on Broadband which was established under Administrative Order No. 322.

Gov Brian Kemp (R-GA) announced the investment of $240 million to support the continued expansion of high-speed internet services to Georgians. These funds will be made available through the Capital Projects Fund Grant Program (CPF). CPF funding will be administered and deployed by the Office of Planning and Budget (OPB) through a competitive grant program, beginning August 15. The CPF program will provide the needed support to build comprehensive broadband networks in many communities struggling with the lack of broadband access.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced over $146 million in funds awarded from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 to Tribal entities in New Mexico. The awards will provide 5 Tribal entities with funds for high-speed internet projects through the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program. On August 8, NTIA announced over $51 million in awards to Tribes in the state of Alaska, these awards are another tranche of this vital funding.

Leichtman Research Group (LRG) found that the largest cable and wireline phone providers and fixed wireless services in the US – representing about 96 percent of the market – acquired about 670,000 net additional broadband Internet subscribers in second quarter 2022, compared to a pro forma gain of about 1,000,000 subscribers in second quarter 2021.

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded a $3.8 million Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Recovery Assistance grant to El Dorado County (CA) to increase internet connectivity. This project will expand the reach of high-speed internet in portions of El Dorado County, promoting job creation and economic diversification in the region.