Broadband

Policy Director, National Digital Inclusion Alliance

The federal government has signed off on the state’s initial plan for using $416.6 million in grant money to improve high-speed Internet access. Nevada joins Kansas and West Virginia in being among the first states to secure funding.

Plus, $204 million is made available for Internet expansion in Pennsylvania, New York’s ConnectALL launches its County Partnerships program, and more.

A cable break roughly 40 miles west of Prudhoe Bay Tuesday disrupted Internet and cell service for residents in several northern Alaska communities. Service was temporarily restored but it’s unclear how long a permanent fix will take.

The incident, detected April 14, resulted in a third party gaining unauthorized access to portions of the company’s IT environment — and to personally identifiable information. As part of its response, Frontier shut down systems.

The City Council has given final approval to a development agreement with Nebraska-based Allo Fiber, which will spend $40 million to build out the network. It is expected to be complete by the end of 2026.

Plus, new legislation aims to increase digital skills training opportunities, two Ohio initiatives aim to increase digital equity, a new grant program for digital services was announced in Colorado, and more.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation Monday on an early action budget null among legislative leaders that will cut the shortfall by about $17.3 billion — and return millions for tech to the general fund.

A pact between the county and Internet service provider Nortex will extend high-speed Internet to residents in the underserved communities of Callisburg, Woodbine and Oakridge. The network is slated to come online in late 2025.

A new report by the Vernonburg Group finds access to broadband is not generally inhibited by demographic factors — but instead others like location and type of land.

The Federal Communications Commission will require “nutrition label”-style information from broadband plans. Companies must reveal data to customers including broadband, bundle and discount prices; speeds; data allowances; and rental fees.

A new report by BroadbandNow indicates as many as 22 million U.S. residents still lack access to broadband, an improvement from 2020. But as Internet service improves, affordability in rural areas remains an issue.

TDS Telecom is installing fiber optics in Missoula and neighboring Lolo, with the goal of wiring up roughly 1,700 customers during the first year. The new services, which include phone and digital TV, will enable some residents to move off dial-up.

In a presentation Monday at the National School Boards Association conference in New Orleans, Lawrence Public Schools officials explained how building a private fiber network improved digital equity and saved money.

Plus, the FCC is preparing for a vote that could restore rules around net neutrality, state digital equity plans are continuing to be accepted, and more.

The City Council on Tuesday voted in favor of hiring Nebraska-based Allo Missouri to lay fiber-optic broadband. A final vote will happen at the council’s next meeting and build-out is expected to take approximately two years.

Through the Federal Communications Commission, the Biden administration warned Congress Tuesday the Affordable Connectivity Program, which serves 760,000 Pennsylvania families, is within weeks of ending due to a lack of funding.

Plus, a mapping tool helps inform the permitting process, tribes in New Mexico get $10 million for digital equity, and more.