Lawmakers working to revamp an $8 billion-per-year broadband subsidy still haven’t come to an agreement, said Rep Bob Latta (R-OH). The Fifth Circuit ruled in July 2024 that the fund in its current state is unconstitutional, which the government intends to appeal. The Capitol Hill group includes members of both parties and chambers of Congress. It's been working Since May 2023 to update the fund’s contribution scheme and to fold in a more permanent version of the Affordable Connectivity Program, the low-income internet discount that ran out of appropriations money in May 2024. 

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved $91 million in fifth round grants for last mile broadband projects as part of the $2 billion Last Mile Federal Funding Account Grant Program, which expands broadband internet access for underserved and unserved communities across California. This continues a rolling process of awards and recommendations, highlighting the state’s commitment to bridging the digital divide through Broadband For All. Separately, the CPUC approved grant funding of up to $279,415 from the California Advanced Services Fund Broadband Public Housing Account to bring free internet access to those who do not already have access in public housing in Corte Madera and San Jose.

The city of Superior (WI) recently broke ground on a city-owned fiber network that aims to lower costs and provide more reliable internet service for residents. Utility crews began installing tubes that house fiber optic cables for the first phase of the ConnectSuperior network in a neighborhood near the University of Wisconsin-Superior. The fiber installation is expected to cost $1.47 million, and the city has budgeted $6.25 million for the first leg of the project with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. The city will own and operate the open access network, which means multiple internet service providers could use it and compete for customers. The first phase of the buildout is expected to offer service to around 860 households and businesses, according to Stephanie Becken, broadband manager for ConnectSuperior. She said the goal is to build a network that offers high-speed internet to the city’s entire population of roughly 27,000 residents.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) awarded Phoenix College more than $4.25 million from the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program to improve high-speed Internet service capacity and workforce development training. This funding also enabled Phoenix College to purchase devices and software, create paid internships within the college’s Information Technology Department, and revise programs within their new Bachelor of IT program, among other changes and improvements.  NTIA is highlighting three Phoenix College students who benefitted from the Pilot Program. All three students cited their hands-on learning experience at Phoenix College as a key factor in their career development.