This is the third in the committee’s hearings series exploring the role of Artificial Intelligence across every sector of the economy, including healthcare, telecommunications, emerging technologies, and energy.
To design and build the networks necessary to meet the growing demand for fiber broadband, the industry estimates that more than 175,000 new jobs will be needed over the next three years. Without these specialized positions, growth could be stymied, especially in rural areas, which struggle to attract local skilled resources.
An informative panel discussion on the impact this labor shortage and costs have had on their efforts to connect rural North America. You’ll hear firsthand accounts of the challenges they’ve faced—and solutions they’ve implemented to deal with:
Early in the pandemic, Black churches often struggled to make the switch to remote services for lack of broadband in their area. Even if a church had the wherewithal to livestream services or hold meetings on video platforms, congregants lacked the connections to take advantage.
Today's top broadband news
Despite increased reliance on access to high-capacity and reliable broadband Internet for everyday activities, disparities in fixed broadband availability persist. States’ broadband programs are part of the effort to close the infrastructure gap, which has been linked to geographic, demographic, socio-economic, market, and policy factors. However, the pandemic is prompting a shift in broadband policy—with the concept of “access” being expanded to address both disparities in coverage and digital equity concerns.
The Federal Communications Commission initiated a proceeding to address the ongoing remote learning needs of today’s students, school staff, and library patrons through the E-Rate program and to ensure the millions who have benefitted from the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) do not fall back onto the wrong side of the digital divide once the program ends. Specifically, the FCC proposes to permit eligible schools and libraries to receive E-Rate support for Wi-Fi hotspots and wireless Internet services that can be used off-premises.
Internet service providers and their lobby groups are fighting the Federal Communications Commission's plan to prohibit discrimination in access to broadband services.
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