Universal Broadband

When you visit today’s libraries, they are a long ways from the Dewey decimal system. I have observed at least four ways that libraries today are serving Americans in exciting new ways as 21st Century Community Tech Hubs, and are “meeting people where they are.” First, libraries are providing internet access to Americans who otherwise lack it—they are lending their Wi-Fi signals and, in some cases, are lending connectivity itself. Lending hot spots provides a connection when the internet is available in neighborhoods, but not at an affordable rate.

Based on what we’ve learned, we’ve formulated three basic broadband principles for community anchor institution policy.

We are in dire need of universal fiber plans. Major telecom carriers such as AT&T and Verizon have discontinued their fiber-to-the-home efforts, leaving most people facing expensive cable monopolies for the future. While much of the Internet infrastructure has already transitioned to fiber, a supermajority of households and businesses across the country still have slow and outdated connections.

In a letter to the Federal Communications Commission, the state representatives on the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service expressed frustration with their FCC colleagues in coming to a consensus on how to reform Universal service Fund contributions. In 2014, the FCC referred the issue to the Joint Board which is chaired by FCC Commissioner Michael O'Reilly.

Some Denver City Council members want to explore the city's options for providing internet access to residents who don't have connections. But first, they need to get  permission from voters to take stock of those opportunities, says City Councilman Paul Kashmann.

As consolidation in the US residential broadband market continues, there is concern that that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are “cherry-picking” areas for upgrades to fast broadband services.  This policy brief examines this question for Los Angeles (LA) County during the 2014-17 period. In particular, it probes for evidence that ISPs are neglecting investments in low-income areas and communities of color.

In early 2009, Congress directed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to develop a National Broadband Plan with a functional objective to ensure every American has “access to broadband capability.” Now, with just 165 days left before the National Broadband Plan was to meet the plan’s original stated objectives, I explore some of the key components and objectives of the plan. Ten years is a great deal of time in the telecommunications realm, and it is true that the plan asked a great deal of the FCC from the very start.

A Q&A with National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) President and Delaware CIO James Collins.

Rep Antonio Delgado (D-NY-19) announced a package of legislation aimed at addressing flawed broadband mapping practices and increasing speed standards in rural communities. Additionally, one of Rep. Delgado’s proposals would empower local communities to accurately assess who has access to broadband and at what speeds and who has been left behind by the digital divide. The legislative package is comprised of two bills that empower communities to improve flawed broadband mapping procedures.

Efforts to bring much-needed broadband internet to rural IA have been anything but high speed. Former Gov Terry Branstad (R-IA) — who likened the broadband expansion to efforts last century to bring electricity to rural IA — set a goal of connecting every Iowan, which was later modified to connecting every acre.