Upcoming event

New year. New Congress. New opportunity. The United States is at several critical junctures as we work to maintain our nation’s global leadership in technology and to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable, reliable, and secure broadband. What policy issues must be prioritized – and perhaps refocused – to retain that leadership and to close the digital divide? Join us for a wide-ranging conversation with top government, policy, media, and analyst voices to discuss what’s next for spectrum, the Affordable Connectivity Program, BEAD, privacy, and more.

In honor of Black History Month, FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks and Representative Steven Horsford (NV-04), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, will jointly hold an event to raise awareness of the digital divide’s impact on Black communities and federal programs that can help all eligible Americans secure the connectivity they need to thrive in a 21st century digital economy.

Agenda

10:00 am: Welcome and Opening of Meeting

Radhika Karmarkar, Chief, Industry Analysis Division, Media Bureau

10:05 am: Welcome Remarks

Jamila Bess Johnson, Designated Federal Officer, CEDC, Media Bureau Aurélie Mathieu, Attorney Advisor, CEDC, Wireline Competition Bureau Diana Coho, Consumer Affairs and Outreach Specialist, CEDC Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau

10:10 am: CEDC Chair/Vice Chairs’ Opening Remarks

Heather Gate, Chair, CEDC, Connected Nation

Nicol Turner Lee, Ph.D., Vice Chair, CEDC, Brookings Institution

The Federal Communications Commission's Task Force to Prevent Digital Discrimination will host the first of a series of listening sessions to gain additional information and understanding from affected communities, state, local, and Tribal governments, public interest advocates, and providers about challenges, barriers and experiences in ensuring all people of the United States benefit from equal access to broadband. The purpose of these listening sessions is to continue the FCC’s outreach in support of its ongoing efforts to promote equal access to broadband for everyone.

Save the date. Details to come.

Digital inequity persists as one of the most pressing social issues of our time. Access to digital technology and reliable Internet dictates whether or not we can access education, healthcare, search and apply for jobs, and even meaningfully engage in democracies.

Once each year, community-based broadband providers come together from small towns and rural areas across America for one of the largest gatherings focused exclusively on the business, the people, and the technology of rural broadband. Gather with your neighbors and the network of solution providers and advocates working on behalf of companies like yours who are working on behalf of the communities you serve. 

In February 2022, NTIA announced several Broadband Infrastructure Program (BIP) awards - the first of many Internet For All grants to be awarded throughout the next 12 months. Join NTIA leadership and BIP program staff for our BIP 1-year anniversary celebration to recognize the work of the fourteen grantees and highlight program milestones.