When pandemic-induced school closures began in spring 2020, Carey Wright, state superintendent of education for Mississippi, seized the opportunity to address the digital divide in the state. Wright and her team at the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) immediately began work on a strategic approach to narrow the digital learning divide between students living in different parts of the state. The first step was an assembly of MDE specialists with expertise in academic content, professional development and technology who collaborated on a digital learning guide that was validated with districts. Wright and her MDE team then developed a comprehensive state-wide digital learning plan and cost model to close the digital divide based on data from the district survey. After MDE’s plan was approved, Mississippi policymakers acted quickly to pass two new laws on July 9, 2020, that allocated a combined $200 million to fund the Mississippi Connects program. The first law, The Equity in Distance Learning Act (Senate Bill 3044) provided districts with $150 million to fund computing devices, software, teacher professional development and improved internet connectivity. The second law, the Mississippi Pandemic Response Broadband Availability Act (House Bill 1788), provided $50 million in grants to Mississippi school districts, independent schools, and Native American tribal schools to expand broadband access in unserved areas of the state.

Nishal Mohan, founder and CEO of the tech nonprofit, Mohuman, wants to make technology more accessible and affordable for people in underserved communities. “I have lived experience on both sides of the digital divide, with a deep understanding of the complex systemic inequities perpetuating it, that go beyond devices and internet access. And I know how to fix it,” he says. “I want everyone to have an easier time than my family and I did, to succeed. People and their communities are all different, and technology can easily and affordably support everyone in the way they need it, and that’s the key. Working with people and communities, first.” For him, that fix was founding Mohuman, a technology nonprofit founded in 2018 to provide access to the internet and other digital services for school, work, health, business, and government engagement, to those most adversely affected by the digital divide. During the pandemic, he was recognized for his work in bridging this technology gap, nationally and locally, through a 2020 Federal Communications Commission Digital Opportunity Equity Recognition, and a San Diego Next Century Cities Local Leader. Mohan, 43, is also consulting director for digital equity at UC San Diego Extension and founder of the San Diego Digital Equity Coalition, among involvement in a number of other organizations and boards of directors. Here, he talks about his work at Mohuman and his desire to make the world a better place for those with fewer resources and access to opportunities.

UScellular is working on a multi-year effort to eventually sunset its CDMA 3G network, as the regional carrier upgrades parts of its network with additional LTE bandwidth and capabilities. The company stated that as part of the work, some 3G data services have been shut off, including in Missouri. Since 98 percent of UScellular’s traffic in Missouri is LTE, the company doesn’t expect many customers to be affected. UScellular did not disclose how many, or which other markets have already seen high-speed 3G data turned off. It also did not share a set timeline for 3G sunset, other than that the process will “span multiple years.” Chicago-based UScellular has around 5 million customers and has undertaken 4G LTE upgrades while also deploying 5G. It’s been using 600 MHz spectrum for 5G and plans to augment with mid-band (like recently acquired C-band in key markets and CBRS) and millimeter-wave. The sunset of 3G networks has been a topic of interest as carriers shift and reallocate resources, including existing spectrum, to newer technologies.

In August 2021, AMC+ landed what has become every streaming service’s holy grail: a coveted Verizon partnership. As part of a deal between the two companies, certain customers of Verizon’s broadband and unlimited phone plans are entitled to a free year of the AMC Networks streamer, featuring ad-free programming across its entertainment networks and early access to original shows. The giveaway offered a major marketing boost to the streaming service, which aims to clear 9 million subscribers by the end of 2021. Partnerships between streaming services and internet and phone service providers can provide a leg up in the streaming wars, giving new services access to sizable customer bases, plus extra marketing muscle and customer management expertise they may lack on their own. At Verizon, streaming partnerships have resulted in “extremely high” conversion rates; according to Frank Boulben, chief revenue officer of Verizon Consumer Group, 50-70 percent of customers either upgrade their plans to include continued access to a streaming service or opt to continue paying for the service separately. While telecommunications companies continue flocking to streaming video services for customer giveaways, those kinds of partnerships may not last forever. If customer interest starts to wane, phone and internet providers may move on to other in-demand services—which may be why Verizon is already eyeing mobile game subscription offerings as yet another differentiator.

The Federal Communications Commission announced that the items below are tentatively on the agenda for the October 26, 2021 Open Commission Meeting:

• National Security Matter – The FCC will consider a national security matter.
• Updating Digital Television Table of Allotments – The FCC will consider an Order that will update the digital television Table of Allotments, and delete or revise rules rendered obsolete by the broadcast incentive auction and the digital television transition. (GN Docket No. 12-268)
• Selecting Third Round of Applicants for Connected Care Pilot Program – The FCC will consider a Public Notice announcing the third round of selections for the Commission’s Connected Care Pilot Program to provide Universal Service Fund support for health care providers making connected care services available directly to patients. (WC Docket No. 18-213)
• Disaster Communications Field Hearing – The FCC will conduct a virtual field hearing on communications recovery and resiliency during disasters, and will hear testimony about communications issues during and following Hurricane Ida and other recent disasters.