1. Monthly archive
  2. March 2022

March 2022

West Virginia's 2022 broadband bill includes more consumer protections, accountability for broadband providers

The West Virginia Legislature finished work on a bill that lawmakers said is one more significant step toward ensuring West Virginians have reliable internet access. House Bill 4001 establishes means for the state to map out certain infrastructure resources, sets parameters on broadband providers' use of federal money, and providers consumer protections for West Virginia broadband customers.

Digital inclusion unlocks a more resilient recovery for all

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit developing countries the hardest and recovery is continuing to accentuate the growing digital divide. When populations have affordable access to the internet and the skills to use it, digital adoption opens endless possibilities for a more resilient recovery. Digital technologies can supercharge inclusive growth but we must accelerate investment, so they reach their full potential. Governments need to make connectivity affordable, reliable, and accessible by all. In addition, people must have the skills they need to use digital technologies.

Verizon program helps bridge digital divide

For the first time, Verizon is offering free Internet with its Fios Forward program to qualifying Affordable Connectivity Program customers. With Fios Forward and ACP, qualifying customers will have access to premium high-speed Internet without data caps, extra fees or equipment costs, helping them maintain connectivity for virtual learning, remote work, telehealth visits and more. Service has speeds starting at 200Mbps for downloads and uploads, crucial bandwidth for video-heavy applications.

Sen Wicker Calls for Oversight Review on COVID-19 Broadband Spending

Sen Roger Wicker (R-MS) urged the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) to conduct an oversight review into pandemic-related spending to ensure broadband funds were used appropriately for assisting unserved communities and those economically affected by the pandemic. In response to the need for broadband amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress created multiple broadband accessibility programs that allocated billions of dollars to assist Americans in their participation in remote activities.

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