Digital Divide

The short time frame for many state grants is out of synch with the reality of the way that internet service providers (ISPs) can add customers to a network. Grants generally pay only for the capital cost of assets. The largest cost for fiber grants is likely the cost of the fiber running up and down streets to pass customers. The second largest cost in many grants is the fiber drops that connect from the street to customers. In short, an ISP has two concerns with a grant with a short timeframe. Make sure to ask for enough money upfront.

AT&T is opening a new Connected Learning Center inside the Asian Pacific American Community Center (APACC) in San Francisco (CA) to provide internet access and education tools to those who face connectivity barriers vital to their long-term success. It’s part of the AT&T Connected Learning initiative and the company's $2 billion commitment to address the digital divide through internet accessibility, affordability and safe adoption. This is the second Connected Learning Center that AT&T has opened in California.

The Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition published its 2022 Policy Roadmap, outlining the 10 policy priorities that shape its advocacy in 2022. In brief, the SHLB Coalition will focus on the following policy priorities in 2022: 

The Illinois Electric Cooperative (IEC) said it will use funding received through the Connect America Fund II (CAF II) auction to deploy fixed wireless in rural Pike County (IL). IEC will use technology from Ericsson and Xtreme LTE for the deployment, which will use the CBRS spectrum. The companies did not indicate whether the spectrum to be used is in the licensed or unlicensed portion of the band. Fixed wireless technology has made big gains in recent years, and both LTE and CBRS spectrum were key developments to boost speeds and performance.

The St Louis (MO) Community Foundation released a report on the digital divide in St Louis and the steps necessary to bridge the gap. This report provides a detailed and actionable assessment of the digital landscape in St Louis City and County. The digital divide impacts broad swaths of the St Louis population, and is most acutely felt by low-income and minority communities. This assessment positions St Louis to understand the breadth and depth of the digital divide, and establishes the necessary framework to catapult the city as a national leader in digital equity.

The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) adopts the first middle-mile broadband rule for the state of Texas. The rule permits electric utilities to lease their excess fiber capacity to internet service providers to provide broadband in unserved and underserved areas of Texas. While the PUCT does not regulate broadband service, this rule will help electric utilities, which the PUCT does regulate, partner with internet service providers to expand broadband access to Texans.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is continuing to build out its senior leadership team as it prepares to launch the grant programs in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act:

Broadband offers an economic lifeline for residents on Tribal lands, but face time with local officials is required just as much as funding and technological flexibility to make it a reality, according to Muralnet CEO Mariel Triggs. Muralnet was founded in 2017 to help bring internet service to Tribal lands by working with indigenous communities to design, build and develop sustainable plans to operate local fixed and wireless networks. It’s no secret that delivering broadband on Tribal lands presents a number of unique challenges.

After exploring the connection between broadband policy and access to courts, civic engagement, and government services, this report by Next Century Cities and the Samuelson Law, Technology & Public Policy Clinic at the University of California-Berkeley offers the following conclusions:

While disparities in broadband in rural areas are well documented, little research exists about broadband in tribal communities. This gap means we lack information about the trajectory of broadband deployment in tribal areas. It also means we lack comparative information about the similarities or differences in the trajectory of broadband deployment in tribal areas compared to non-tribal areas (e.g. urban and rural areas).