1. Monthly archive
  2. December 2023

December 2023

Federal Communications Commission Acts Against Video Service Junk Fees

The Federal Communications Commission adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes to eliminate video service junk fees from cable operators and direct broadcast satellite providers and to study the impact of these practices on consumer choices. Early termination fees require subscribers to pay a fee for terminating a video service contract prior to its expiration date, making it costly for consumers to switch services. Because these fees may have the effect of limiting consumer choice, they may reduce competition for video service.

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $20 Million to Boost Digital Equity

The Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) at MassTech announced $20 million in new grants through the state’s Digital Equity Partnerships Program, which supports high-impact and scalable initiatives that reach residents most affected by the digital divide.

The Trajectory of the Broadband Industry

For well over a decade, it was fairly easy to understand the trajectory of the broadband industry. But the industry is now in total turmoil. Within a short time, cable companies have stopped growing. Currently, all of the industry growth among big internet service providers (ISPs) is coming from cellular fixed wireless access (FWA). Last-mile fiber networks are being built across the country. Wireless internet service providers (WISPs) finally have the radios and enough spectrum to be serious competitors. When I talk about trajectory, I’m not talking about predicting 2024.

National Digital Inclusion Alliance Recognizes Record-Setting 47 Digital Inclusion Trailblazers

The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) named 47 communities as 2023 Digital Inclusion Trailblazers, recognizing the efforts of local governments to close the digital divide. These communities span 23 states, and demonstrate the important role municipal, county, and regional governments have in digital inclusion. NDIA launched a valuable resource with an open collection of 591 resources and documents from all of the 2023 Trailblazer awardees.

Emerging Best Practices for Developing Effective, Measurable State Digital Equity Metrics

An extraordinary, first-ever, nationwide effort in digital equity and opportunity is currently underway. Thanks to funding provided under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), all 50 states and six territories are in the final stages of developing first-of-their-kind statewide digital equity and digital opportunity plans (Plans). Only a year ago, not a single state or territory had developed a comprehensive statewide Plan of this scale focused on the full spectrum of internet adoption issues.

Biden team wades into open source AI controversy

The Biden Administration has big plans to tackle one of the AI boom's sharpest controversies—whether op

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