March 2019

Mississippi electric co-ops look into funding opportunities to provide internet service

In Jan, Gov Phil Bryant (R-MS) signed off on a bill by the Mississippi Legislature that gave approval for electric cooperatives in the state to provide broadband internet service. The Mississippi Broadband Enabling Act, however, was just the first step. The co-ops must now find ways to fund such projects. Michael Callahan, CEO of Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi, said getting the co-ops to expand into internet service will be a “tough process.” “We’re doing our due diligence,” he said. “We’re all looking at this, spending money on surveys, doing studies, talking to consultants ...

South Carolina continues to invest in telehealth, but internet connections lag

South Carolina is expanding access to telemedicine — or, put broadly, health care done via the internet. This virtual way of seeing a doctor or managing health is seen as a solution to deteriorating health care services in rural parts of the state. SC’s government has spent $68 million in one-time commitments since 2013 on telemedicine. But it’s no secret that progress is stunted if people don’t have internet access. Some 537,000 people in South Carolina don’t have an adequate internet connection at home — about 11 percent of the state’s population, and 26 percent of the rural population.

Oregon lawmakers eye cellphone fee to pay for rural broadband

As internet speeds continue to lag in rural parts of the state, Oregon lawmakers are contemplating a new fee on cellphone service to help pay for expanded broadband in remote and underserved communities. OR House Bill 2184 would raise about $10 million a year to fund broadband projects through grants and loans. Advocates say it would cost cellphone subscribers between $4 and $12 a year. The bill will face fierce opposition from the wireless industry, though, which says it will fight to keep OR cellphone fees low.

PennDot calls out Philadelphia Mayor Kenney, Council on digital kiosks over ad screens that could cost city millions (Philadelphia Media Network)

Submitted by Robbie McBeath on Mon, 03/04/2019 - 13:40

AT&T Plans to Revamp CNN’s Digital Arm (Wall Street Journal)

Submitted by Robbie McBeath on Mon, 03/04/2019 - 11:49

Facebook Sues Chinese Companies: Cracking Down on the Sale of Fake Accounts, Likes and Followers (Facebook)

Submitted by Robbie McBeath on Mon, 03/04/2019 - 11:48

UK Royal Family Issues Social Media Guidelines After Markle, Middleton Face Online Abuse (UK Royal Family)

Submitted by Robbie McBeath on Mon, 03/04/2019 - 11:47

Banks won’t be able to remain on sidelines of privacy debate (American Banker)

Submitted by benton on Mon, 03/04/2019 - 11:47

Facebook faces backlash over users' safety phone numbers

Facebook has been accused of abusing a security feature in order to weaken user privacy, after the social network was found using phone numbers initially handed over for account safety for other purposes. The company now faces criticism that it will be harder to convince users to take other necessary security measures if users view this as an abuse of trust. Since 2011, Facebook has asked users for their phone numbers in order to enable “two-factor authentication”, a common account security feature that sends a text message whenever a login is attempted.

Ultra-fast broadband investment and adoption: A survey

In recent years, and in line with European Commission plans, telecommunication operators have been facing the need to deploy high-speed, fiber-based infrastructure. What is the socio-economic impact of these new investments on growth and local development? What are their effects on the labor market outcomes, in terms of firm productivity and entrepreneurship? What is the role of regulation and competition in spurring the deployment and the adoption of ultra-fast broadband networks?

Benton

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