Maryland

Spectrum announced completion of its multi-year rural construction initiative to expand its fiber broadband network, making Spectrum Internet services available to more than 1,300 homes and small businesses in Somerset County (MD). The expansion encompassed more than 133 miles of construction. Combined with state and County contributions totaling more than $10.3 million, total project investment, including more than $2.1 million from Spectrum, is more than $12.5 million.

The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund continues to see service providers default on their commitments. The latest to do so include Plains Internet, Easton Utilities, and MSEC Communications, according to a public notice published by the Federal Communications Commission. The three providers were set to deliver service in parts of Kansas, Maryland and Texas, according to the notice.

The Maryland Office of Statewide Broadband is making up to approximately $11.8 million available through Connect Maryland’s Network Infrastructure Grant Program Round 2. This competitive funding opportunity, supported through the American Rescue Plan Act Capital Projects Fund, will support strategic middle-mile broadband infrastructure projects across Maryland. Funding will support projects that improve broadband transport capacity, interconnection, resiliency, redundancy, and long-term network scalability.

Easton Utilities requested to withdraw from the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund program for all 10 awarded census blocks in Talbot (MD). Easton Utilities has met the deployment obligations for the buildout, completing the mainline construction to make the service available. Over 400 locations have active service and are enjoying broadband internet that was previously not available in these rural areas. The reason for the request to withdraw is due to financial obligations incurred by the ongoing testing requirements.

T-Mobile has entered into definitive agreements to form two strategic fiber joint ventures (JVs): a 50/50 partnership with Oak Hill Capital to acquire and combine GoNetspeed and Greenlight Networks, and a separate 50/50 joint venture with Wren House to acquire i3 Broadband.

I served with the statewide digital equity initiative in Maryland, which dropped me straight into the everyday realities of the digital divide. Through the cooperative extension system, I had the opportunity to closely observe how schools, libraries, and nonprofits—which we call community-anchor institutions—collaborate to build community capacity. CAIs aren’t just "nice to have." They are the places people trust, the places people actually show up, and often the only places where digital life becomes something navigable.

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development announced that the Maryland Digital Equity Coalition will transition into the Office of Statewide Broadband as a strategic step to align the Coalition with Maryland’s long-term broadband and digital equity goals. The Maryland Digital Equity Coalition (MDEC) is a statewide partnership network composed of a diverse group of stakeholders, including state and local g

The Broadband Opportunity and Fairness Act (HB 382) was introduced by Delegate Kris Fair (D-MD). The Broadband Opportunity and Fairness Act requires broadband providers to offer low-cost internet service plans to eligible low-income households.

Governor Wes Moore (D-MD) announced the completion of a nearly $2 million infrastructure project to bring high-speed internet access to residents and business owners of Smith Island. The project is a critical part of the Moore-Miller Administration’s commitment to ensure all of Maryland—no matter how remote the location—has affordable and equitable access to high-speed internet. “Leave No One Behind is more than a motto—it’s a governing philosophy,” said Gov. Moore.

Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program draft final proposals continue to pour in as each state prepares to submit its final plans to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Each state is deciding how to connect its un- and underserved locations in what is called the Benefit of the Bargain application round. Today's edition of this series covers ten more states' draft final proposals.