Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) said that internet providers will receive nearly $100 million to expand broadband coverage to more Minnesotans, representing the largest single investment in broadband infrastructure in state history. In total, 61 broadband expansion projects around Minnesota will receive $99.6 million in grants from the Border-to-Border Broadband program administered by the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)'s Office of Broadband Development. Provider grantees estimate the funding will extend new high-speed internet connections to more than 33,000 Minnesota homes and businesses in 48 counties. This investment includes funding primarily from two sources – half of a $50 million appropriation from the state Legislature signed into law in 2022 by Governor Walz, and $70 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

The Federal Communications Commission released a new national broadband map, which is supposed to help consumers see their options for internet service. Just as important, the map will be used to help determine where some $42.5 billion in federal funds will go to build out better access in places where high-speed, affordable broadband is lacking. The map has quickly become a battleground for states, including Colorado, New York, and Vermont, which say it doesn’t accurately reflect how many of their citizens lack fast access to the internet. If the FCC map understates the problem, state officials say, they won’t get the funding needed to address the problem. Despite arguments over the new FCC map, it’s widely acknowledged to be more accurate than the previous version. To judge for yourself, you can plug in your address—and let the FCC know if you find an inaccuracy. The new funding was allocated by last year’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which set up the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program to help more Americans get online. An agency called the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will distribute funds to states based on how many of their residents lack broadband access. The FCC says the new map is still a work in progress. "Releasing this early version of the new maps is intended to kickstart an ongoing, iterative process where we are consistently adding new data to improve and refine the maps." FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel says.

The Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) is calling on all Vermonters to check their addresses on the Federal Communications Commission's National Broadband Map and file a challenge if the information is incorrect. Correcting addresses that are incorrectly listed as served at speeds of 25/3 Mbps or greater by a wired or licensed wireless provider could mean millions of additional federal dollars to build out 100/100 Mbps fiber broadband across the state. The map shows service at addresses as reported by providers. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) said, "We all should be concerned the FCC’s new National Broadband Map inaccurately represents our state’s ability to connect with the global economy, which will prevent Vermont from receiving the Federal funds we need to build out affordable broadband networks." 

With trained telecommunications workers in short supply and in high demand across the country, investing in workforce development is critical over the next five years. Fortunately, the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program provides funding, regulation, and guidance to create and sustain the personnel necessary to build and maintain the nation’s critical infrastructure. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allows the $42.45 billion in BEAD money to be used in workforce and job training. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has provided a Workforce Planning Guide to support the BEAD program with information on what components a BEAD workforce plan should have, how to develop such a plan, strategies and examples for meeting workforce requirements, and additional resources to support BEAD workforce planning and implementation processes. Eligible BEAD funding entities will be held to federal labor and employment laws that apply to all employees in the United States. Entities will determine the combination of skilled workforce requirements and guidance that will shape the experience of on-site workers who will build and service high-speed network infrastructure, with requirements potentially varying by state. NTIA plans to release additional tools in the months to come, including case studies to how to use the workforce landscape and best practices checklist included as part of the additional resources within the Workforce Planning Guide.

Soon after CTIA released its latest study supporting its argument for more licensed spectrum, the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA) shot a letter over to lawmakers asking for more shared spectrum, similar to the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) model. Signed by more than 200 companies in the WISP ecosystem, the letter urges lawmakers to support the 3.5 GHz CBRS model for future spectrum bands, such as 3.1-3.45 GHz. The letter is addressed to Senator Maria Cantwell, (D-WA), chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, and Senator Roger Wicker, (R-MS), ranking committee member. The letter comes as lawmakers negotiate extending the Federal Communications Commission’s auction authority and consider how to reallocate federal spectrum, mainly spectrum used by the Department of Defense (DoD), for commercial use. Big licensed carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, represented by CTIA, want the lower 3 GHz spectrum to be allocated for licensed use. Smaller companies, like WISPs, are pushing for a structure that allows for smaller-sized auctioned areas and a shared spectrum approach. 

In the next Congress, the Republican House majority will have the obligation and authority to conduct rigorous oversight of the federal government, including using the government’s vast power to attempt to coerce private businesses to act against the freedoms and security of our citizens. Areas of oversight will include:

• $1.9 trillion in American Rescue Plan Act funding
• $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
• CHIPS – the language of bill provides significant grants that Congress must approve and Congress must vigilantly monitor how past grants and allocations are spent to prioritize American excellence rather than feeding the corporate trough 
• Coordination and collusion with the Federal Government and intelligence officials to silence speech
• Twitter, Facebook, and Google censoring information and suppressing Free Speech
• TikTok’s threat to national security and Paypal’s debanking efforts
• TikTok ongoing negotiations with the Biden Administration’s Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) that could allow data mining by the Chinese Communist Party