1. Monthly archive
  2. December 2021

December 2021

Lead The Way on Broadband in Maine: Become A County Connector!

Too many Mainers, especially those not living in Portland, Bangor and other cities, are routinely told that a broadband internet connection is just not possible. Or, it’ll cost tens of thousands to simply run a line to where they need it. A modern, fast, internet connection has become a requirement in today’s connected world. Sadly, Maine ranks 44th out of all US states in connectivity. If our students, businesses, and health services are going to thrive, that needs to change.

Rural communities left out of broadband boom in Wisconsin

At a time when Americans can work and learn remotely from just about anywhere, internet access isn't a luxury it's a necessity. However, a large part of rural Wisconsin has been left behind. According to a report from Forward Analytics, hundreds of thousands of people in Wisconsin do not have access to high-speed internet at all. The report shows 25 percent of Wisconsin's rural population lack access to high-speed internet.

The 'full fiber' versus 'tech neutral' debate heats up in the US

The US federal government's $65 billion broadband program is the country's single-largest commitment to achieving universal Internet access nationwide, and a funding deluge that people across the industry never expect to see again. With that in mind, technology and policy stakeholders are eager to get it right. "We will never be in a position to have this much funding available to get fiber to every American," said Gary Bolton, president of the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA).

No More Guessing: $4.51 Billion is Needed Yearly for Homework Gap

The Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) has provided a much-needed infusion of laptop computers and Wi-Fi hotspots to keep K-12 students and library patrons connected to the Internet. Up until this point, we have all been estimating what was needed to help our communities stay connected. The time for guessing is over. Based on ECF funding request data from 2021, Funds for Learning found that $4.51 billion is needed annually to provide secure devices with internet connections to families who otherwise lack adequate connectivity.

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