Network

As government and other groups that work directly with communities across the country increasingly prioritize digital equity, programs to train new experts in the field are steadily growing.

Plus, a report details the digital divide in St. Louis, Mo.; a new initiative aims to invest $100 million to fix digital equity in Miami; and a survey finds that as many as 1 million Kansas residents lack Internet.

As part of its continued push for economic growth and development in the city located north of Sacramento, the Marysville City Council on Tuesday approved the deployment of a citywide fiber-optic network.

Borrowing up to $18.2 million will give Traverse City Light and Power what it needs to expand its fiber-optic network throughout city limits after city commissioners unanimously agreed to authorize the borrowing.

Jeff Bezos has selected Blue Origin’s New Glenn, United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur and Arianespace’s Ariane 6 as launch providers for Amazon’s Internet satellites. Amazon will launch more than 3,000 satellites.

According to Federal Communications Commission Chair Jessica Rosenworcel, states, local areas and other broadband stakeholders won’t have to wait until 2023 to see new broadband maps from the federal agency.

When it comes to accessibility and inclusion, there are steps local and state agencies can take — and others that should be avoided — to provide an equitable government service experience across populations.

Zoom Video Communications is looking into new features that will enhance the increasingly popular hybrid work model. One leader with the company indicates the platform might eventually offer a virtual world.

Many Alaska Native tribes and organizations are imagining what they can do for the people they serve as they eye a slice of the $3 billion in federal funding set aside for high-speed Internet expansion.

Arizona CISO Tim Roemer and Virginia CISO Mike Watson discuss how zero trust can ease cybersecurity concerns over remote work and insider threats, and Watson highlights complicated privacy questions facing states.

Delaware, a state with a population of just less than a million people, wants to become the first state to connect every home and business. As part of this effort, the state is giving $56 million to three companies.

Google Fiber has its sights set on Colorado Springs. The affiliate is trying to reach an agreement to lease part of the 2,000-mile network being constructed by Colorado Springs Utilities.

The communications gear company, fresh off a Q4 revenue gain, wants to help first responders better communicate via smartphones. The move reflects the technology changes taking place among police and fire professionals.

County officials want to know which pockets of Seminole lack connectivity or high-speed access to the Internet, with the ultimate goal of improving broadband services to those areas that need better service.

Congress is considering a flurry of proposed revisions to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, but some experts say reforms must be nuanced and carefully researched to avoid unintended consequences.

A new report from the NewDEAL Forum shows different ways that states and local areas can address the digital divide. The report examines approaches from Texas, California, Colorado and several other states.

Federal funds are coming for broadband expansion, but some local governments, like Fort Collins, Colo., have already been working to build their own city-owned and operated networks.

Plus, why this weekly column has a new name, the NTIA awards $277 million in grants to enhance broadband in 12 states, and a new Illinois broadband program announces its inaugural cohort.