Digital Divide

New York City is shutting down NYC Mesh, a community-run low-cost broadband network that provided affordable internet access to underserved areas. The network relied on a decentralized model where users helped expand it.

The federal infrastructure bill enacted in late 2021 included resources and funding requirements to significantly narrow the gap between American households that have access to affordable, high-speed internet and those that do not. Although much of the implementation effort is in the hands of state governments, Congress’ work on expanding broadband access is far from over.

The Federal Communications Commission announced the final list of 34 entities selected for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Pilot Programs, which are aimed at providing ACP outreach and application assistance to eligible households. The two ACP Pilot Programs are: (1) the Your Home, Your Internet Pilot Program, which is focused on ACP outreach and application support to recipients of federal housing assistance; and (2) the ACP Navigator Pilot Program, which provides selected entities access to the National Verifier to help low-income households complete and submit their ACP applica

The nation’s spring construction season is starting up, and, in theory, it should be a big one. The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act devoted more than $1 trillion dollars to upgrading the country’s roads, rails and ports. The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act is supposed to pump tens of billions more into renewables and other energy infrastructure.

President Joe Biden made clear in his 2023 State of the Union address that as the US spends billions of dollars on new broadband connections, “we’re going to buy American.” But that aspiration is easier said than done. While there seems to be enough domestic fiber optic cable to connect communities, the electronic components such as routers that transform glass strands into data highways are made mainly in other countries.

City officials in Syracuse (NY) have formally approved a new project to provide heavily discounted wireless broadband to low-income city residents. The plan is being made possible courtesy of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), $123 million of which has been doled out to Syracuse city leaders for various urban improvement efforts. After issuing a request for proposals (RFP) in 2022, Syracuse officials say they’ve selected Community Broadband Networks FLX to help build the fledgling, city-owned network.

Governor Wes Moore (D-MD) announced that Maryland is awarding nearly $92 million to expand high-speed internet access to an estimated 14,500 households and businesses across the state through Connect Maryland, an initiative to close the digital divide through the Office of Statewide Broadband.

The Utah Broadband Center (UBC), powered by the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, recently announced the recipients of two new broadband planning grants. A total of $942,738 in grant funds was awarded to 28 organizations to facilitate local planning efforts to identify areas of the state needing increased investment in high-speed internet infrastructure, digital skills training, and access to online devices. These efforts will facilitate Utah communities’ access to critical online resources such as telemedicine, remote work, and educational opportunities.

On April 1, 2023, US Vice President Kamala Harris delivered remarks in Lusaka, Zambia on US partnership with African nations to promote digital inclusion efforts in the continent. "The United States is committed to strengthening our partnerships across the continent of Africa with governments, with the private sector, and civil society," said the Vice President. In her remarks, Harris highlighted digital disparities faced by populations in Africa and funding opportunities announced by the White House.

Blackfoot Communications, a provider serving rural areas of Montana and Idaho, is getting set to begin work on seven fiber deployment projects for which the company was awarded $60 million through Montana’s ConnectMT program. Blackfoot will contribute an additional $16 million toward total project costs of $76 million. Funding was awarded in December 2022, but as Chris Laslovich, public affairs manager for Blackfoot, said any company planning fiber deployments using buried cable in Montana (as Blackfoot plans to do) has to wait until this time of year or later to begin construction.