Broadband

In his first year as Arkansas chief technology officer, Jonathan Askins brings his private-sector background to bear on state IT modernization, broadband and where the state stands in its ongoing data work.

Plus, Ohio broadband program is now accepting grants; a new report examines the role of libraries nationwide in closing the digital divide; and New York extends the deadline for a fintech innovation challenge.

Gov. Janet Mills announced $128 million in federal funding will be used by the Maine Connectivity Authority to expand broadband. The funding for this investment comes from the American Rescue Plan.

The commissioners of Butler County, Ohio, have heard a $4 million proposal to bring high-speed Internet to 2,700 locations in rural parts of the county. The project would be led by an electric cooperative.

Thanks to a program created by the Alachua County Library District in Florida, library cardholders can check out Wi-Fi hot spots with no fees. Currently, the district has 200 hot spots that residents can use.

Consolidated Communications, a company that provides broadband in more than 20 states, has kicked off a new fiber network project in Manchester, N.H. The company has multiple similar projects throughout the state.

The bipartisan infrastructure bill has been a months-long effort for Sen. Jon Ossoff and other legislators and he said it will set several beneficial programs into motion should it be fully approved by the House.

The COVID-19 pandemic heightened the need to address the digital divide in the Los Angeles area. However, it also led to funding and collaboration opportunities for government agencies to combat the issue.

Mahaska Communication Group officials said they plan to begin constructing the underground broadband network in early 2022, and hope to finish the project by late 2024 or early 2025.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced that an additional $100 million will be used for broadband expansion through the newly minted Connect Maryland initiative to bridge the state’s digital divide.

If the federal infrastructure bill makes it through the House of Representatives and receives President Joe Biden's signature, $65 billion will go to broadband. What does that really mean, though, for America's future?

Tens of thousands of people in Alamance and Randolph counties in North Carolina don't have broadband access. Both counties lag behind national trends in high-speed Internet access.

The FCC just released a new map showing mobile broadband coverage from the nation’s four major providers. The map aims to improve on previous data and is the first test of the criteria from the Broadband DATA Act.

Niagara and Orleans counties in New York will both take advantage of American Rescue Plan funding to bring broadband to rural homes within their borders. A wireless provider will be working with the counties.

This week, the Texas comptroller announced the creation of a Broadband Development Office, which will help the state in its effort to bring broadband access to unserved and underserved areas.

The Senate is expected to vote on several amendments to the bill. Since this bill is very likely to eventually become law, many senators would love to hitch their pet priorities to the train.

According to a recent study, the expansion of high-speed Internet service across the United States is worth around $160 billion in economic gains, mostly benefiting the middle-class, professional workforce.

The pandemic stretched municipal revenues even further, but tech and financing provider Quantela aims to provide backing for Wi-Fi, LED streetlights and other projects. Now the company has $40 million of fresh capital.