Network

After studying ways to improve high-speed Internet for residents, Councilor Jose Delgado is proposing to seek bids from companies interested in upgrading Springfield’s digital infrastructure.

Three high-speed Internet initiatives have connected upwards of 500 households and businesses in rural communities across Cibola and McKinley counties, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s office has announced.

HighSpeedInternet.com, a website used by individuals to test Internet speed and compare providers, recently published findings on internet speed in all 50 states, and Idaho was ranked at the bottom.

Plus, Washington state has appointed an interim broadband director, North Carolina has announced new leadership for the Division of Broadband and Digital Opportunity, communities are leading digital adoption efforts, and more.

The application process to access the funding is expected to change, the state Office of Broadband Access and Expansion said, but officials anticipate receiving money from the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program.

The city’s new Internet Service Enrollment Line can connect residents who qualify to inexpensive Internet service. Callers must be enrolled in programs including CalFresh or Medi-Cal to be eligible.

A public research university in Michigan will relocate its current data center in a science complex to a new structure on the southwest end of campus so it can accommodate more research space and a new AI institute.

The funding will expand access to high-speed Internet around the city. Its Municipal Broadband Utility will develop a network that incorporates existing infrastructure, as feasible, with fiber-optic and wireless technologies.

For years, the 3,600 residents of Lake Providence, La., pushed for better Internet. They were set to get it until the Trump administration announced new rules for a national broadband build-out.

The high court preserved the Universal Service Fund, which finds its beginnings in the 1934 Communications Act. It includes E-rate, and is intended to ensure effective telecommunications across America.

Plus, proposed legislation aims to address rural broadband funding issues, states address federal funding cuts and program changes, Spectrum is investing in digital skills training, and more.

New federal funding cuts are impacting plans for high-speed Internet and digital inclusion work, leaving state broadband directors to explore alternate financing and other ways to move forward.

Plus, experts encourage including artificial intelligence skills in digital literacy programming, Tennessee libraries are getting funding to teach such skills, Maine launched a new device sharing program, and more.

The local government is getting underway on a project to bring high-speed Internet to more than 400 additional homes and businesses. Its total cost is $1.7 million, with $1.3 million of that coming from a federal grant.

A Massachusetts school district is barring local city leaders from accessing school IT systems, alleging that an executive order by the mayor to combine the district's and city's IT offices was illegal.

The new piece of the Completing Access to Broadband program will deliver high-speed Internet connection services to 3,292 homes and businesses across six Triad counties. Funding comes from the federal American Rescue Plan.

Tribal communities are some of the nation’s least connected areas, making them fertile ground for innovative broadband deployments and tech. Speakers on a recent panel said open-access, tribe-owned systems may be best.

Plus, Kansas is expanding Internet access and digital literacy, local governments in Ohio are investing in skills training, a new workshop series focuses on artificial intelligence use, and more.