Broadband

The state Department of Development’s BroadbandOhio office is poised to take proposals to build a middle-mile fiber network east from Mansfield to Canton, and west to Lima along Route 30.

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order seeking to limit states’ abilities to enact AI-related policy that could be deemed “burdensome.” Experts argue the action is illegal.

Plus, legislation could improve digital skills training in workforce development programs, the bipartisan Wi-Fi Caucus relaunched, digital literacy work continues at the local level, and more.

The state Office of Science, Innovation and Technology is partnering with a vendor to deliver broadband to Laughlin and Cal-Nev-Ari. American Rescue Plan Act funds are driving the work.

Plus, Congress calls on the Trump administration to follow the law for BEAD program funding, AI infrastructure increasingly plays a role in digital equity, stakeholders are calling for reforms to USF, and more.

The Washington State Broadband Office has a new director, Jordan Arnold, who previously served as a senior policy adviser on broadband within the Biden administration. She will start in January.

Plus, Arizona has launched a permit finder to support BEAD deployments, legislation could streamline broadband projects, New Mexico is helping students across the state access the Internet, and more.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration has approved the state’s final proposal for how it would spend funds it received through the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program.

Policy and other changes have slowed the rollout of the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program. Internet providers, residents and others are frustrated by its lack of tangible results.

Plus, broadband permitting legislation advances in the U.S. Congress, a project aims to expand connectivity to boost agriculture technology adoption, Oklahoma has kicked off a fiber project and more.

Plus, the Network Equipment Transparency Act passed in the U.S. Senate, San Francisco is expanding its free Wi-Fi network, Alabama has made progress on the construction of its middle-mile network, and more.

The initiative will provide grants to aid Internet service providers in repairing and rebuilding infrastructure destroyed by Hurricane Helene. Communities in western North Carolina were hard hit by the storm.

Plus, Arkansas is offering technology training to residents, North Carolina is investing in recovering broadband infrastructure after Hurricane Helene, rural broadband legislation has been introduced, and more.

Plus, the FCC is looking to make changes to broadband consumer labels, localities are partnering with private-sector businesses to expand Internet access, Oklahoma has launched new broadband work, and more.

After five years of shifting plans, the Texas Broadband Development Office has announced that it now has an updated proposal to submit to the federal government, aiming for less than half of a prior allocation.

Plus, New Mexico and Indiana are both expanding access to broadband, a federal government shift to paperless checks may widen digital inequities, and more.

Plus, North Carolina has set standards for digital literacy, Alabama has launched a workforce initiative to improve digital skills, Massachusetts is investing $23 million to expand device access, and more.

The endeavor, led by utility workers from Merit Network, will bring swift Internet to Beaver Island, in Lake Michigan. The system will connect major public facilities and will likely be operational later this year.