Network

The federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program makes some $21 billion available for non-deployment purposes. States are exploring how this funding can be used, and questions remain.

The city’s Utility Billing Division is no longer directly debiting customer bank accounts — instead requiring residents to use its third-party platform. The change is for security reasons, officials said.

Plus, new legislation would revive the FCC’s equity council if enacted, a report reveals connectivity gaps in tribal communities, some municipal broadband networks outperform their competitors, and more.

County commissioners got a revised schedule for federally funded broadband work. Service provider contracts remain to be signed, and construction is slated to wrap by the end of 2029.

The Trump administration has asserted for months that its “bargain” version of the federal $42.5 billion grant program to expand access to broadband Internet would save taxpayers money.

Plus, Maine is looking for partners for its middle-mile network, New Mexico has enacted a law establishing a broadband affordability program, fiber infrastructure expansion is continuing, and more.

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.