- FCC Commissioner Steps Down
- Hawaii Students Contribute to Broadband Data Work
- Report: New Yorkers Want Free Public Wi-Fi
- Rural Broadband Report Shows Progress
- Locals Expand Internet Access
FCC COMMISSIONER STEPS DOWN
FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks has participated in his final Open Meeting in his role with the agency.
Starks first announced his intention to resign the position in March. The FCC is typically split along party lines, but Starks’ resignation makes Commissioner Anna M. Gomez its single Democratic member pending the nomination and Senate confirmation of another. Experts have raised concerns about how the FCC’s 2-1 Republican majority, made up by Chairman Brendan Carr and Commissioner Nathan Simington, will impact key initiatives like the E-rate program and a cybersecurity pilot program.
Gomez highlighted Starks’ commitment to public service and his impact on efforts like expanding affordable connectivity and national security in a statement.
Simington also made a statement thanking Starks for his service to the FCC: “While we often approached issues from different perspectives, I appreciated his professionalism and his commitment to the work of the Commission.”
Stakeholders outside of the federal government, like Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, have also expressed their appreciation for Starks’ service. Bloomfield underlined his leadership in bringing awareness to the risks foreign actors pose to U.S. communications networks.
Now, digital equity advocates are looking to President Donald Trump to nominate a Democrat to replace Starks.
Alisa Valentin, the broadband policy director at Public Knowledge, a nonprofit whose work supports affordable access to an open Internet, released a statement urging the president and Senate to “urgently” do so, to maintain the FCC’s strength. “The failure of the president and Senate to do so would threaten the agency’s ability to strengthen our democratic media ecosystem and ensure that broadband is accessible and affordable to all communities without discrimination,” Valentin said.
The FCC plays an important role in expanding Internet access, with one way being through its National Broadband Map. According to the latest update last week, access is increasing. However, the data relies heavily on the challenge process to improve its accuracy.
Separately, the FCC has announced it is seeking nominations to recognize people for their contributions to advancing accessible communications technologies, for its Eleventh Chair’s Awards for Advancement in Accessibility. The nomination period is open through June 13.
HAWAII STUDENTS CONTRIBUTE TO BROADBAND DATA WORK
In state news, Hawaii schools have been participating in the state’s Digital Detectives campaign, an initiative aiming to identify areas in need of improved broadband infrastructure.
More than 6,000 state residents participated by taking a speed test last year, per an announcement from Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke. Luke visited the classes that received the top Digital Detectives Super Sleuth Awards, recognizing student participation and reporting.
“By turning a simple classroom activity into meaningful data for our state, students had a front row seat to civic engagement and real-world impact,” Ken Hiraki, executive director for the Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation, said in a statement.
REPORT: NEW YORKERS WANT FREE PUBLIC WI-FI
In local news, a new poll highlights the demand for free public Wi-Fi in New York City: 55 percent of residents said they use free public Wi-Fi at least once monthly.
Not only does the poll indicate a need for public Wi-Fi, as more than one-third of New Yorkers lack cellular plans with unlimited data, it also highlights support for these initiatives. Three out of four New Yorkers support the addition of Link5G smart poles in their communities.
The poll was conducted by the tech research firm HarrisX and released by LinkNYC and Tech:NYC. LinkNYC is the free public Wi-Fi network in the city, provided by CityBridge. Tech:NYC is a network of tech leaders representing more than 550 tech companies in New York.
“It’s clear that New Yorkers love the LinkNYC program as much as they need the LinkNYC program,” LinkNYC CEO Nick Colvin said in a statement.
LinkNYC will also be supporting a June 3 conference convened by the Center for an Urban Future and Brooklyn Org. The event, “Ideas for Creating a Stronger and More Equitable Brooklyn,” aims to bring elected officials and local leaders together to share ideas that can improve the community.
RURAL BROADBAND REPORT SHOWS PROGRESS
The Rural Broadband Benchmarking Report, from the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, updates a 2022 report with new findings — including 50 percent more miles, locations and investment compared to the 2022 report.
The report is divided into six sections: an executive summary, use cases and technologies, deployment statistics, subscribers and revenues, business considerations, and operations.
The number of co-ops working to bridge the digital divide is increasing, according to the report. All of survey respondents, or 100 percent, per the report, are using grants to fund broadband expansion. Competition is increasing, 90 percent of respondents said, and the majority expect this trend to continue.
Fiber remains the overwhelming choice for broadband, according to the report.
The continued expansion of rural broadband, a primary focus of the Digital Equity Act, faces barriers following the termination of the Digital Equity Act.
LOCALS EXPAND INTERNET ACCESS
Local governments nationwide are continuing to invest in, and make progress on, initiatives to expand Internet access for their communities.
For example, Surf Internet has broken ground on a new fiber-optic network that will connect 145 addresses in Troy Grove, Ill., to high-speed Internet.
In Prescott Valley, Ariz., Metronet is leveraging an $18.5 million investment to expand its fiber-optic network in the state. Construction is slated to start this summer, and residents are expected to start receiving service before autumn.
In Marion County, Fla., Wire 3 announced it has now connected the first households and businesses to fiber-optic Internet. The company will be investing an additional $75 million to continue the work. The goal is for the complete construction process for the city of Ocala, Fla., and Marion County to be complete during the winter of 2027.
And Kinetic announced the completion of a fiber-optic expansion project in Thomas County, Ga., that totaled more than $13 million and is expected to impact thousands of residents.
