Network

Billions of federal dollars for broadband came with the stipulation that they benefit underserved populations. New projects that link last-mile access with affordability are paving the way for universal Internet service.

Residents and officials in Dewey Beach, Del., pushed back on the placement of 5G poles that they say blocked beach views. Now, a new ordinance is being developed to better manage the wireless infrastructure.  

The project's first phase — which was funded through $3 million of CARES Act money last year — connected 415 homes in Clark County. The second phase will connect around 1,165 homes, though a timeline has not been established.

Two industry giants, Verizon and Amazon, have announced a partnership to tackle the digital divide in rural areas. Verizon will use Amazon's satellite system, Project Kuiper, to expand the reach of its data networks.

Officials in Harlingen, Texas, want to use $4 million to give all homes in the city basic access to the Internet. Officials note that the investment won't provide broadband-level speed.

Some of the unemployment system’s challenges include processing large numbers of claims, protecting people’s personal information and state lawmakers not knowing the extent of the system’s operational problems.

If passed, the proposed legislation would prevent Internet providers from blocking, throttling or engaging in the paid prioritization of providing Internet service to Massachusetts residents.

Plus, Philadelphia reports progress in getting residents connected to the Internet, Cleveland has a new program to connect residents to resources, an online map lets residents get involved with redistricting work, and more.

The funding will be used to purchase telehealth equipment and software licenses to increase access to care and services for CentraCare Health Systems in St. Cloud, Minn., according to a press release.

Andrew Butcher, director of the Maine Broadband Coalition, will be nominated to head a new state agency tasked with rapidly accelerating efforts to make broadband Internet service available to all residents of the state.

Students at Ashland University and Youngstown State University will have the opportunity to get 80 non-credit hours of workforce training for careers involving next-generation telecommunications infrastructure.

The surge of government aid to expand broadband in Iowa is much needed, experts say, but the goal of universal coverage by 2025 remains formidable with the most challenging areas yet to enjoy high-speed Internet.

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice has outlined his billion-dollar strategy to bring broadband access to underserved parts of the state. At least 200,000 homes and businesses are expected to benefit.

Congresswoman Elise M. Stefanik is asking the Federal Communications Commission to step in and stop the New York state Department of Transportation from charging providers for high-speed Internet infrastructure.

Plus, the Federal Communications Commission has committed an additional $1 billion to the Emergency Connectivity Fund program, California looks to improve its procurement processes for tech services, and more.

Placer County just approved a project that aims to expand high-speed Internet access to 1,500 households in Auburn, North Auburn and Penryn. The project is expected to be finished by October 2022.

The project is part of the company's $4.8 million federal Rural Digital Opportunity Fund grant, awarded in January, that will expand its Cumberland County network to an estimated 5,900 homes and small businesses.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike is poised to make millions by selling excess space on its network. The agency has nearly completed two projects totaling $95 million to install fiber-optic cable along roughly 220 miles of the highway.