Universal Broadband

Broadband & the Future of Tech

Every American should have access to affordable broadband internet services at home, school, and work. That's the topline recommendation in The Future of Tech: A Blueprint for Action. Americans appreciate the importance of broadband that is reliable, safe, modern, trustworthy, and affordable.

Congress and the FCC can save the USF from sinking sand

One glimmer of hope from the pandemic: The Universal Service Fund (USF), the government fund designed to make sure everyone in the United States is digitally connected, finally may get an overdue overhaul. While lawmakers and policymakers long have recognized the need for a rebuild, the pandemic made it clear that reform no longer can wait.

Precision Ag Connectivity Task Force Working Groups Announced

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, in consultation with Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, has appointed Working Group members to serve on the Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States. The following working groups will assist the Task Force in carrying out its work: (1) Mapping and Analyzing Connectivity on Agricultural Lands; (2) Examining Current and Future Connectivity Demand for Precision Agriculture; (3) Encouraging Adoption of Precision Agriculture and Availability of High-Quality Job

Accelerating Broadband Deployment in Colorado

This Executive Order builds upon Executive Order B 2020 009 that directed the Governor’s Office of Information Technology (OIT) to oversee and coordinate broadband activities for all Agencies and/or Departments. Through this Executive Order, I direct OIT, through the Colorado Broadband Office, to lead collaboration and coordination between all Agencies and/or Departments for all broadband deployment efforts in Colorado.

Benton's Thoughts on the Future of the Universal Service Fund

Acting on instruction from Congress in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Federal Communications Commission has invited comment on the effect of the Infrastructure Act on Universal Service Fund (USF) programs and how the FCC can reach its goals of universal deployment, affordability, adoption, availability, and equitable access to broadband throughout the United States.

USDA Extends to March 9 the Application Deadline for ReConnect Program Funding

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending to March 9, 2022, the application deadline for funding to expand access to high-speed internet for millions of rural Americans nationwide.

To Save Universal Service Fund, FCC Must Adopt USForward Report Recommendation Immediately

INCOMPAS is pressing the Federal Communications Commission to make the smart, transparent and expedient choice to save the Universal Service Fund. By evolving USF to include contributions from broadband internet access service providers, which the FCC could do immediately without an act of Congress, INCOMPAS says low-income families, schools and rural hospitals would all benefit from this renewed commitment to ongoing affordability solutions. INCOMPAS warns that the USF program is spiraling toward disaster, with contribution levels set to rise to nearly 40%.

Federal and State Entities Should Collaborate, Share Data, and Track Progress on Closing the Digital Divide

Resolution on Ensuring that Federal and State Entities Collaborate, Share Data, and Track Progress on Closing the Digital Divide Utilizing Various Federal Programs including the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

NTIA Oversight Hearing

The House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology held an oversight hearing on the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

Strategies that make universal broadband access a reality are needed

As the federal government readies $65 billion for broadband adoption, local leaders should make thoughtful, culturally-responsive strategies that connect all of our communities.

Rural electric co-ops are the fastest growing group of broadband providers

A lot of attention has been given to the sprawling fiber expansions announced by large operators like AT&T, Charter Communications and Frontier Communications. But there’s another rapidly growing cohort of companies quietly working to deliver broadband to some of the hardest to reach areas of the country: electric companies and cooperatives. National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) CEO Jim Matheson said electric co-ops haven’t always been part of the broadband equation.

FCC Announces Effective Dates for Affordable Connectivity Program Rules and Comment and Reply Comment Deadlines for Related Further Notice

On January 21, 2022, the Federal Communications Commission released the Affordable Connectivity Program Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ACP Order and Further Notice) providing the final rules to implement the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP Order and Further Notice was published in the Federal Register on February 14, 2022. As set forth in the ACP Order and Further Notice, all adopted rules have the effective dates listed here.

Rules that will become effective on March 16, 2022: 

The Future of Tech: A Blueprint for Action

The independent, nonpartisan Future of Tech Commission was formed to consider and propose a national framework and tech policy blueprint for the United States. Based on the range of input and information shared with us, it is clear that there is broad consensus on a few key points, namely that:

Adrianne B Furniss Announces 2022 Charles Benton Digital Equity Awards

Benton Institute for Broadband & Society Executive Director Adrianne B Furniss announced the 2022 Charles Benton Digital Equity Award winners at The National Digital Inclusion Alliance's Net Inclusion 2022 event. "We are here to honor three people who have demonstrated commitment, innovation, leadership, and collaboration: the very skills we need to navigate us through very trying, interlocking crises—and to steer us to a more equitable, more just society," said Furniss.

Bridging the Digital Divide: Policy Proposals to Increase Broadband Access for All

In a series of convenings beginning last spring, the NewDEAL Forum's Broadband Task Force brought together state and local policymakers who are making progress in closing the digital divide, along with advocates and other nonprofit and private sector leaders with expertise in improving access, adoption, and digital skills attainment. The initiatives outlined in this report, which constitute a selection of policy efforts drawn from those discussions, provide a blueprint for how other states and cities can tackle their broadband needs and inequities with new federal funds.

Vice President Kamala Harris flags internet affordability issues

Vice President Kamala Harris called on all US internet service providers to back efforts to provide more affordable broadband options for consumers, as the Federal Communications Commission announced more than 10 million people have signed up for its Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

Industry Groups Submit Letter to the FCC on the Future of Universal Service

The Ad Hoc Telecom Users Committee, INCOMPAS, NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association, Public Knowledge, the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition, and the Voice on the Net Coalition, as well 332 entities representing a broad and diverse group of stakeholders submitted this letter to the Federal Communications Commission to take immediate action to reform and stabilize the funding mechanism that supports the Universal Service Fund (USF).

Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Support Authorized for 2,576 Winning Bids

The Wireline Competition Bureau, in conjunction with the Rural Broadband Auctions Task Force and the Office of Economics and Analytics, authorized Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (Auction 904) support for 2,576 winning bids.

Biden-⁠Harris Administration Announces 10 Million Households Enroll in Broadband Affordability Program

The Biden-Harris Administration announced more than 10 million households are enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program, the nation’s largest-ever broadband affordability program. The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to removing barriers to high-speed, affordable internet access. Thanks to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, millions of families who previously could not get online or struggled to pay for this modern-day necessity are now connected.

Access Granted: Rural Broadband Options, Obstacles, and Solutions

As state and local officials across the country consider bills addressing broadband service and decide how to allocate funding received through the federal American Rescue Plan Act, a new white paper from the Center for Rural Affairs offers ideas and solutions for improving access in rural areas.

Missouri state leaders move forward with $400 million broadband expansion

Gov Mike Parson (R-MO) continued efforts to push Missouri lawmakers to approve $400 million into broadband expansion. Parson said the project was the largest single investment in state history. Missouri ranked number 34 out of 50 states in broadband access. State officials said there were more than 147,000 unserved or underserved households and more than 392,000 Missourians without reliable internet access. BJ Tanksley is Missouri’s new Broadband Development Director.

States push forward with broadband projects

The $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act President Joe Biden signed in November 2021 included $65 billion to get high-speed internet to more people. Much of that funding is expected to be channeled into rural and low-income communities. Now, exactly how all those billions will be distributed is still being worked out. In the meantime, many states aren’t waiting. They are boosting broadband access using another pot of cash, tapping into pandemic relief funds from the American Rescue Plan Act  — a law that included about $360 billion for broadband investments and support.

State Broadband Grant Programs: Scoring Metrics

Pew Charitable Trusts assesses broadband grant scoring metrics, with side-by-side comparisons of the metrics used by Indiana, Minnesota, and Virginia. These three states represent both relatively well-established state broadband grant programs as well as
programs that updated their scoring systems in 2020 and 2021. Major points include: