Network

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 five members of the new Vermont Community Broadband Board will funnel resources to local communications union districts, amplifying their efforts to extend reliable Internet to the farthest reaches of the state.

Yesterday, Cisco hosted a roundtable discussion about Internet access featuring local, regional and international perspectives. The speakers covered everything from accountability of leadership to Wi-Fi innovation.

One state representative wants to ensure rural Pennsylvanians have access to high-speed Internet — particularly since the pandemic has made the persisting digital divide more apparent and problematic for those who don't.

Plus, Michigan announces $15.3 million boost to grants for projects that improve resident connectivity, San Jose, Calif., launches a community-built platform to connect youth with mental health services, and more.

Gov. Ralph Northam has announced a plan to invest $700 million toward broadband infrastructure for unserved areas in Virginia. The funding for this investment comes from the American Rescue Plan.

Maryland announced Tuesday that its Department of Housing and Community Development’s Office of Statewide Broadband would be administering grants totaling nearly $30 million to support network infrastructure projects.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill Tuesday to spend $6 billion over the next three years expanding broadband access throughout the state, prioritizing unserved, underserved and rural communities.

Lawmakers had previously decided on leadership for a new broadband agency equipped with $150 million and tasked with a mandate to achieve universal high-speed Internet throughout all of Maine.

The National Association of Counties’ Broadband Task Force released a report last week highlighting the widening digital divide and the need for equitable Internet access in all U.S. counties.

To complete the expansion of broadband access to the remaining residential clusters in South Carolina would cost more than $600 million, according to a state agency tasked with expanding high-speed Internet.

A new state law creating a matching grants program could help leverage up to $100 million in federal support to expand high-speed Internet service to all corners of the state, according to Gov. Chris Sununu.

A recently signed state law provides a framework for deploying “small wireless facilities” — the infrastructure that supports 4G and 5G. That includes where the devices can go, and how much control local governments have.

The federal money, which the county received as a result of American Rescue Plan Act, will be used as matching funds to support broadband expansion projects in Eau Claire County, Wis., towns.

Seminole County, Fla., opened a computer lab on Monday to help residents apply for rental, utility and mortgage assistance, a recognition of the “digital divide” that exists within the region.

An Indiana-based Internet/cable TV provider is no longer planning to offer service throughout the city of Mankato, but Consolidated Communications is rapidly installing fiber-optic cable both there and in North Mankato.

One of the most troubling broadband disparities is that faced by poor or rural schoolchildren. About 90 percent of Oklahoma's school districts are considered partly or entirely rural.

A recent state law provides a legislative framework for deploying “small wireless facilities” — the infrastructure that supports 4G and 5G, including where devices can go, and how much local governments can control.