Network

The White House announced Monday that 20 Internet service providers will offer low-cost or free Internet plans to low-income households in an effort to boost connectivity across the country.

The Biden administration says it has commitments from 20 Internet service providers to cut prices and raise speeds for high-speed Internet, noting that the 'service is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity.'

There is a fundamental truth that Internet companies and governments — including Albany, N.Y., — must face, which is that in the end, delivering broadband must be treated more like electricity than like cable TV.

Plus, both the FCC and the NTIA are continuing to make substantial investments in broadband connectivity work across the country, senators introduce the Rural Broadband Protection Act, and much more.

The Delaware Department of Technology and Information has added two key hires to its ranks — a chief of administration and broadband manager — to help it deliver on its broadband and technology goals.

Native communities in Alaska will receive about $41.5 million to make high-speed Internet more affordable as well as to help residents access telehealth, economic opportunities and remote learning.

Erie County, N.Y., has released a draft business plan for a new $29 million network that would lay hundreds of miles of fiber-optic lines from as far north as Newstead and Grand Island to as far south as Concord.

Many Mainers have issues with Internet connectivity, mostly because of the old copper wire phone network in place, especially in rural areas, according to Erik Garr, of Consolidated Communications.

Plus, Pew Charitable Trusts is warning that states are at risk of missing out on federal broadband funding, the NDIA has announced two new resources related to digital inclusion work, and more.

While infrastructure challenges and digital literacy gaps still impede digital equity efforts in many rural parts of America, public and private entities are increasingly looking to new partnerships to bridge the divide.

At both the state and federal levels of government, millions of dollars in new funding continue to be made available for broadband projects across the U.S. Plus, advocacy groups release new guidance resources for the work.

Broadband stakeholders in Tennessee — including companies, leaders and residents — have until May 30 to review and provide comments on a statewide broadband map based on data from Internet service providers.

High-speed Internet infrastructure in Alabama’s Black Belt region — and in rural parts of Alabama in general — lags far behind the rest of the state, but some progress is starting to be made.

This week, the “In Case You Missed It” crew talks about weapon detection in light of the New York subway shooting and the Center for Digital Government’s Teri Takai gives an overview of the Government Experience Awards.

More than 300 Whiteside County, Ill., residents so far have taken a survey to help officials assess the state of local Internet services as they prepare to map out a plan for countywide broadband coverage.

Plus, one of the most successful public fiber networks in the country is now partnering to bring high-speed Internet to rural California, New York state is committing more than $1 billion to connect residents, and more.

Does the federal law allow you to sue social media if their algorithms spread disinformation? Are some would-be social media reforms targeting the First Amendment? Is a three-word phrase a dangerous loophole or useful catch-all?

Speaking on behalf of his bill to upgrade cell service, N.H. Sen. Jay Kahn told a N.H. House Committee that he knows firsthand how difficult it can be to make a mobile call or keep one from disconnecting in the state.