Network

Native nations historically have lagged in access to high-speed Internet, because of the cost and incomplete broadband coverage data, among other barriers.

Dallas-based Sprocket Networks is about to begin work on a roughly 300-mile fiber-optic cable network that will extend high-speed Internet to areas of the city where it’s not already readily available.

Plus, a new fact sheet from the FCC looks at the future of the ACP; California launches a website to track infrastructure investment; the White House puts $80 million toward wireless innovation; and more.

Gov. Mike DeWine on Tuesday announced a $10 million state grant to help deliver affordable broadband to every home in the city. The grant funds come from a wing of the Ohio Department of Development known as BroadbandOhio.

Efforts to extend broadband to unserved parts of the county are underway with the Cooke County Commissioners Court working on new language for a request for bids to provide better Internet service to underserved areas.

Construction is expected to begin this year on a project that will allow multiple Internet service providers to operate on the same infrastructure. The project will be financed through general obligation bonds.

As the outage persists and people say they lack firm answers on when it will end, members of a Dallas community believe this is a symptom of inequalities they’ve been fighting for some time now.

The Missouri Department of Economic Development announced on Friday it was awarding more than $7.9 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to 14 projects to improve cellular coverage across the state.

The Texas Broadband Development Office is asking for input from the public on a new plan to expand access to the Internet. Roughly 3 million households in the state lack access to high-speed Internet.

Idaho County took a step forward with the broadband project between Grangeville and Orofino with an $11.5 million fiber-optic conduit grant from the Idaho Broadband Advisory Board. A $14.5 million grant was awarded in November.

The county has secured $15 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act money to expand broadband infrastructure and improve Internet access for county residents. The county was selected from a pool of more than 113 applications.

The pay for Internet cable installers means that $1.2 billion in federal broadband expansion money coming to Pennsylvania in 2025 will not go as far unless workers in the less hazardous jobs are paid appropriately.

The grant award to Dairyland Power Cooperative comes through the National Telecommunications & Information Administration. Dairyland will supply the infrastructure groundwork for others to bring broadband Internet to rural areas.

Commissioners gave county staff approval this week to amend the county's existing contract with cable and Internet provider Spectrum to extend digital access to nearly 1,800 more households in unincorporated areas.

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities is moving forward with plans for guaranteed high-speed Internet access for all residents of the state. Two draft plans have been released for public input.

Plus, Maryland to put $27 million toward getting Internet devices for residents of underserved households, Colorado releases a new broadband workforce plan, and more.

Every state is poised to receive a large amount of federal money to expand broadband access, but they have a lot of work to do to meet the government’s requirements for distributing it.

Boyd, Carter and Rowan counties are among the counties to benefit from a $30.7 million project to expand broadband access to approximately 33,000 households across 16 counties and 196 communities.