Network

State lawmakers overrode a gubernatorial veto to bring the Kentucky Communications Network Authority, which runs the state’s high-speed fiber network, under the Commonwealth Office of Technology.

While the New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion is deploying broadband infrastructure, the State Library and its digital equity program manager are on the ground enabling access.

The state has already deployed roadside devices and onboard units in state maintenance vehicles. Next, the North Carolina Turnpike Authority will work with a hand-selected 100-person test group.

SLICFiber, based in the state’s northernmost county, will build out a fiber optic network across nearly all of the north country. The company now has about 4,500 miles of fiber-optic laid in the region.

Plus, a lack of funding is impacting digital inclusion initiatives, the U.S. House of Representatives advanced a bill for rural and tribal broadband, San Francisco has expanded its free Wi-Fi network, and more.

A tribally owned firm is investing the funds, from two federal broadband entities, to enlarge high-speed Internet access across the Pine Ridge Reservation in the southwestern part of the state.

Plus, Massachusetts is opening applications for its Digital Accessibility and Equity Governance Board, Denver launched a streaming platform, experts dub fiber broadband deployment as essential, and more.

Plus, New Mexico is increasing access to affordable Internet, federal legislation has advanced in Congress to better track funding, Indiana residents have expanded access to fiber broadband, and more.

About $90.7 million of the federal funding will underwrite installation of high-speed fiber across the northwestern part of the state. A nonprofit coalition will handle installations across 10 counties.

A new partnership is endowing state transportation departments in Ohio and Pennsylvania with multiple data points through which to better understand traffic on their roadways and corridors.

The funding, totaling $48.5 million, derives from the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program. It is expected to enable connections to 22,000 homes and businesses in the state.

Plus, during the State of the Net conference, officials discussed broadband funding proposals and the importance of AI-supporting communications infrastructure; new state bills address broadband; and more.

The city has finished its portion of a fiber-optic ring that will link south Hampton Roads cities. The 18-mile build, part of a more than 100-mile endeavor, will also connect with undersea transatlantic cables.

The Bay Area Rapid Transit system has introduced new features to make paying, booking and going online at BART stations more convenient. Five heavily traveled stations now offer free Wi-Fi.

Workers have laid 100 miles of city-owned fiber, city CIO Jorge Cardenas said, and some 6,000 customers have signed up for Omni Fiber high-speed Internet. A private 5G cell network is in the works.

Plus, the debate around congressionally approved federal broadband funding continues, a report highlights access barriers for government services, a Massachusetts tool shows progress on broadband, and more.

Plus, policymakers call for the release of federal broadband funding, a report examines the "dig once" rule's impact, Internet service providers can join an initiative to help combat sex trafficking, and more.

A new report finds labor still accounts for a large portion of the cost of deploying the necessary infrastructure. But advocates say technology is worth it, given the resiliency and future-proofing it offers.