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November 2021

Broadband providers have failed to reach all Maine homes. Now they’re fighting towns trying to do it themselves.

Towns in Maine are considering municipal-run networks that would reach residents who lack broadband access. At a recent Leeds (ME) town meeting, residents debated the creation of a town-run broadband network paid for through a $2.2 million bond. The Leeds broadband proposal sought a slice of the federal funds that have been flowing into the state since last year by leveraging a commitment from voters to borrow money to extend high-speed fiber to households who can’t get it, or that were unwilling to pay the thousands of dollars Spectrum, the only local provider, would charge them.

Cable giants and Mississippi electric co-ops battle over federal broadband dollars

As millions more federal dollars flow to Mississippi for expanding broadband internet access, large cable and telecom companies and rural electric cooperatives are already sparring over the money. During two days of state Senate Energy Committee hearings, officials from both sides laid out their cases for how they could best provide more rural high-speed internet access.

Cable One Plots Course for 10 Gbps Broadband to Compete with Fiber

Diversified broadband provider Cable One is on a path to launch 10 Gbps service. The company said it has already made gigabit service available to 99 percent of its footprint across 24 states, first offering it back in 2016. Cable One is actively upgrading its network to facilitate DOCSIS 4.0, which is the cable industry’s answer to the proliferation of fiber broadband from primarily telco competitors.

Connect Humanity Announces Build Better Broadband Initiative

Connect Humanity, in partnership with Entrypoint Networks and Biarri Networks, announced the 'Build Better Broadband' program to provide Broadband Master Plan grants for communities seeking to solve their broadband gaps. The Build Better Broadband program will be providing grants for Broadband Master Plan, feasibility network designs, and proforma financial modeling for up to 5 communities. These deliverables are essential to establishing a plan to bridge the digital divide for your community.

Chairwoman Rosenworcel responds to senators on agency collaboration to improve broadband connectivity, Lifeline outreach

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel sent letters to 20 senators on November 10, 2021, in response to their letter urging the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the FCC to share existing data to identify communities without high-speed internet access and improve broadband connectivity.

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