Labor

The people who work in the communications industries.

Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Regulate Use of Artificial Intelligence to Make Critical Decisions like Housing, Employment and Education

US Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), with Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Representative Yvette Clarke (D-NY) introduced the Algorithmic Accountability Act of 2023, to create new protections for people affected by AI systems that are already impacting decisions affecting housing, credit, employment, education, and other high-impact uses.

Billions to Connect Everyone to High-Speed Internet Could Still Fall Short

Under President Joe Biden, rural Americans could benefit from the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program to expand fast, affordable internet access across the country by 2030. However, the lack of broadband infrastructure is particularly problematic in rural areas, where internet service is often unavailable or limited. Attempts to get broadband to everyone are not ne

BEAD and Buy America

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issued a clarification of its intentions for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Buy America rules, stating that it still plans to take a strict approach to enforcing Buy America. In practical terms, that means that NTIA intends to only seek minor waivers from the Buy America rules. The NTIA is proposing that 90% of the materials used to construct BEAD projects—especially manufactured products like fiber-optic communic

What to know about Congress’s inaugural AI meeting

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is convening the first AI Insight Forum on Sept 13, bringing together some of

Pragmatic Steps to Deliver Digital Connectivity, Trust, and Opportunity For All

There are pragmatic steps within reach to ensure connectivity for all, trust for all, and opportunity for all:

Obstacles abound as Pennsylvania plans for surge of federal broadband funding

In the coming years, Pennsylvania will receive more than $1 billion in federal funding to bring high-speed internet access to everyone in the state. It’s a historic opportunity and a serious challenge, according to a new plan from the state Broadband Development Authority that outlines how it will accomplish that goal over the next five years.

United Communications Latest Expansion: $85 Million in Tennessee Community

Regional provider United Communications says it will invest $85 million to reach 77,000 members of the Middle Tennessee Electric (MTE) electric cooperative in Murfreesboro (TN). [United Communications is the broadband unit of MTE.] The multi-year project will add 1,400 route miles of fiber and be capable of providing multi-gigabit service to residential and business customers. The initiative is expected to add about 150 jobs in the area.

Why are Individuals with Disabilities a "Covered Population"?

In 20218 more than 40 million people in the United States were living with a disability, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. According to a 2021 Pew Research Center survey, even as majorities of these Americans report having certain technologies, the digital divide between those who have a disability and those who do not remains:

ConnectLA Releases BEAD Initial Proposal Volume 2

ConnectLA published the second volume of Louisiana’s draft Initial Proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, and is asking for feedback from the public. Louisiana received more than $1.35 billion from the BEAD program for the construction of broadband infrastructure and the development of programs to eliminate the digital divide. Volume 1 focused on answering questions three, five, six and seven of the Initial Proposal, and Volume 2 will respond to the remaining 15 questions. The public comment period will close on Sept.

T-Mobile cuts its workforce by 7 percent, about 5,000 jobs

T-Mobile announced to its employees that it is planning to reduce its workforce by about 7%, which equates to about 5,000 jobs. In a letter sent to employees, T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert wrote that the cuts will impact employees in locations across the country, primarily in corporate and back-office, and some technology roles. This round of cuts will not affect retail and consumer care employees. “After this process is complete, I do not envision any additional widespread company reductions again in the foreseeable future,” wrote Sievert.