Broadband

Plus, AT&T is opening a center to support digital equity in Miami, Kansas is the latest state to submit its five-year broadband action plan to the federal government, and more.

The ambitious plans to connect underserved parts of California appear to have been slashed disproportionately, threatening to leave some urban communities, including East Oakland and South Central Los Angeles, further behind.

The latest installment of funding comes on top of $1 billion for Alaska rural broadband projects the White House announced in June, and brings the total investment under the Biden administration to about $2 billion.

The Fiber Smart House is a collaboration between the city of Gary and a national telecommunications development firm. The new facility will include a training space and will be a network operations center and fiber access point for large networks.

The state’s action plan, which was recently adopted by the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority, details efforts needed to make high-speed Internet available universally in five years' time.

The state's Bamberg and Orangeburg counties will receive a combined total of $24 million to expand broadband internet service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on Monday.

A portion of the city is too rural for some Internet companies to offer the service, but ironically, not rural enough to be eligible for federal funds to help them gain the service they want.

Since late last year when Starlink Internet became available in Alaska, thousands of residents have signed up at a pace that's exceeding expectations, observers say, even though the signal is not perfect.

This week, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown announced $162.5 million in federal funding for high-speed Internet infrastructure and community and workforce development projects. The money comes from the American Rescue Plan's Capital Projects Fund.

Officials are asking residents to answer a survey about access to broadband Internet. Information collected will help identify areas where infrastructure does not exist or where service does not meet the minimum speed standards.

During a National Digital Inclusion Alliance webinar last week, experts explored several key tools and dashboards that help make data on the Affordable Connectivity Program more accessible to drive action.

A new report from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation calls on Congress to take several actions to support digital equity, including sustaining funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program.

Internet service providers began notifying the Grant County PUD about Internet outages Tuesday night. All of the service disruptions appeared to be linked to older portions of the fiber-optic network.

Plus, new research shows that broadband subsidy programs are helping to deliver affordable Internet; New York City continues to expand its Big Apple Connect program; a look at the Broadband Infrastructure Playbook 3.0; and more.

The Cumberland County Commission committed $3 million to provide local matching funds for state broadband expansion grants. That money will be split between two Internet service providers.

Plus, the Biden administration works to make it easier for people with disabilities to access public services online; the FCC rolls out more Emergency Connectivity funding for schools; and more.

Following the recent announcement of federal funding allocations from the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program, experts are weighing in on how to make the most of the opportunity.

Five communications companies took part in an event this week underscoring the more than $119 million worth of fiber broadband expansion that is being funded by state and federal funding sources.