Network

The Anderson County, Texas, Commissioners Court has now approved a broadband Internet study and action plan, conducted by the East Texas Council of Governments, during Monday's meeting.

The satellite-based Internet service from SpaceX has launched in Alaska, where more than 200 villages lack city-quality service. Advocates say the service will extend to every corner of the state.

The Federal Communications Commission has imposed new limits on Chinese telecommunication companies — Huawei Technologies Co. and ZTE Corp. — citing concerns about cybersecurity risks to U.S. networks.

The release of new Internet availability maps earlier this month has elicited a wide response from U.S. senators, federal broadband officials, telecommunications industry groups, nonprofit organizations and others.

Joseph residents will soon have more options when it comes to choosing an Internet provider, thanks to Metronet, a 100 percent fiber-optic company started back in 2005 that is now moving into the local market.

Tech-rich but Internet-poor, residents of a Silicon Valley neighborhood were fed up with sluggish broadband of less than 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload — the federal definition of unserved by adequate Internet.

In anticipation of the FCC releasing its new nationwide broadband maps today, Government Technology spoke with several industry experts to better understand how these maps will work and some of the challenges still ahead.

Plus, New Mexico directs $36.8 million in grants through an Internet expansion pilot program, Nebraska nets $5.6 million in federal awards for boosting broadband, a report details Chicago digital divide progress, and more.

In heavily wooded Cook Township, 50 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, the average Internet speed is so slow that it barely qualifies as broadband, according to the new federal minimum standard.

A General Dynamics-backed coalition that also includes other major tech players wants to develop 5G-powered tools for state and local agencies. Government use cases for 5G continue to expand but challenges abound.

Plus, a new report details how to make broadband a priority in affordable rental housing development projects, the FCC is partnering with the Department of Veterans to help those who served get connected, and more.

Ahead of the Federal Communications Commission's goal of rolling out new broadband labels this month, telecommunications industry experts from the Fiber Broadband Association and Carnegie Mellon weigh in on the subject.

Carlsbad's Viasat said that it expects to begin launching its next-generation broadband Internet satellite constellation early next year — marking another delay in getting the terabyte-class satellites into orbit.

Joplin city officials agreed Monday night to proceed with a search for potential broadband providers, with the City Council approving a paid consultant to issue a request for proposals for Internet service.

Hackers often seek to penetrate a network and then escalate their privileges until they can access — and exfiltrate — sensitive data or widely deploy malware. That makes Active Directory security essential.

Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties, along with the Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments, are working together on this initiative to expand broadband needs to underserved populations within the area.

Champaign County, Ohio, libraries are providing a technology trainer at the branches there, and workers in the county are also pointing to a local need for better Internet access and digital literacy.

Residents in rural and urban areas across the state are being encouraged to test their Wi-Fi connections and submit results that will be formulated into a map to inform future broadband funding.