Broadband

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.

Plus, stakeholders continue to push for more ACP funding as the program winds down, Connecticut releases $41 million for broadband, and San Antonio is supporting small businesses with digital skills training.

The federal government has issued guidance on exemptions from its Build America Buy America requirements for broadband infrastructure projects. This could help make it easier to acquire key pieces of high-speed Internet networks.

In remarks Monday at the California Public Sector CIO Academy, state CIO Liana Bailey-Crimmins discussed results from a new statewide emergency alert system, and the importance of harnessing artificial intelligence and generative AI.

Telecommunications and tech services company C Spire will build 90 miles of fiber and infrastructure in Meridian, bringing multi-gigabit-speed fiber Internet to thousands of homes. Construction for some neighborhoods will wrap as soon as June.

Almost everything we do requires Internet connectivity, from applying to a job, fulfilling work obligations, booking doctor’s appointments, banking, watching TV and even staying connected with family.

Plus, more states see their digital equity plans accepted, the National Digital Inclusion Alliance unveils a low-cost plan model as an alternative to the ACP, and more.

Contracts and federal grant monies aim to rapidly bring high-speed Internet to many of the state’s 67 counties. The developments follow last-mile broadband work paid for by more than $82 million in state funding.

Infrastructure investment firm Meridiam will develop, build and run a $230 million network connecting 53,000 households and businesses in six counties. Developer Yellowhammer Networks, owned by Meridiam, will fund the project.

Plus, Pennsylvania announces millions of dollars in new broadband funding, the FCC aims to expand Internet choice for residents of apartment buildings, and more.

Plus, support remains strong for continuing the Affordable Connectivity Program, a Massachusetts planning program expands and Alabama gets $150 million in broadband funding.

A new survey of Affordable Connectivity Program users detailed the financial hardships recipients face in affording broadband, and found more than half access government services online.

The state’s new Digital Equity Plan highlights goals and strategies to provide IT capabilities to all individuals and communities. It’s now being reviewed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

Plus, Maine is the first state to have its digital equity plan accepted, the NTCA is calling for a more effective challenge process for the national broadband map, and more.

North Carolina is making $14 million available to nonprofits, government agencies and others as part of the Digital Champion grants to expand digital equity. Some 230 applicants have applied.