1. Monthly archive
  2. July 2023

July 2023

Why the Letter of Credit requirement could sink BEAD

The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, the US government’s $42 billion broadband grants program, requires recipients to provide a Letter of Credit for 25% of the grant award. Alongside the additional 25% match requirement, this capital barrier will shut out a huge number of internet service providers (ISP).The small and community-centered ISPs, minority and women-owned businesses, nonprofits, and municipalities that the program claims to be targeting will be most affected.

Treasury Department Announces Approval of Federal Funds to Connect Thousands of Rhode Island Homes and Businesses to Affordable, High-Speed Internet

The US Department of the Treasury announced the approval of $112 million in federal funds for broadband infrastructure and multi-purpose community facility projects in Rhode Island under the American Rescue Plan’s Capital Projects Fund (CPF). Rhode Island is approved to receive $25 million for broadband infrastructure projects, which the state estimates will connect 7,500 homes and businesses to affordable, high-speed internet and serve about 30 percent of locations still lacking high-speed internet across the state.

After BEAD Allocation, Gigi Sohn Advocates Municipal Broadband to Close Coverage Gaps

Municipal broadband providers, which play a vital role in bridging the digital divide, should have equitable access to federal funding regardless of state regulatory roadblocks, said Gigi Sohn, executive director of the American Association for Public Broadband.

Arkansas State Broadband Office launches survey and community engagement effort to build Digital Skills and Opportunity Plan

The Arkansas State Broadband Office (ASBO) recently launched its Digital Skills and Opportunity Survey as part of the state’s larger planning process to better understand the complexities of the digital divide.

Is $700 million enough to fill Minnesota's broadband gaps?

There are currently 291,000 locations in Minnesota that are either unserved or underserved, which is about 12 percent of homes or businesses. The state would like to fill in those gaps by 2026. An infusion of $67 million in grants allocated during the last legislative session will put a dent in that need. Federal funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, totaling $652 million over five years, allocated to Minnesota will go even further to bringing high-speed internet to all Minnesotans. US Sen.

Gov Moore Launches Maryland ActNow Campaign to Close the Digital Divide in Maryland

Governor Wes Moore (D-MD) launched the Maryland ActNow campaign in partnership with EducationSuperHighway, reaffirming the Moore-Miller administration’s commitment to closing the digital divide by extending broadband internet access to all Marylanders and making it more affordable.

Wavelength Defaults on Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Bids; LTD Broadband's Petition Dismissed by FCC

The Federal Communications Commission announced that Wavelength's Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) long-form application has defaulted. Wavelength’s defaulted bids are identified here.

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