1. Monthly archive
  2. April 2024

April 2024

Federal internet benefits at risk in Connecticut. Could a state bill fill in gaps?

Connecticut has been building its digital infrastructure to get more households online. Those efforts rely on federal funding to help the state address these gaps, particularly in places with limited access to affordable high-speed internet. But a federal program reducing monthly internet bills and providing device subsidies for lower-income households will sunset at the end of April if Congress does not renew funding.

Cox Continues Commitment to Digital Equity with Low-Cost Internet as Federal Government ACP Closes

The projected end of the federal government's ACP (Affordable Connectivity Program) will leave many low–income households looking for affordable internet options. Nearly 23 million people nationwide rely on the $30 subsidy ($75 for tribal land) to defray the cost of internet service or secure internet service for free.

Sponsor: 

Axios

Date: 
Mon, 05/06/2024 - 16:30 to 18:30

Cybersecurity is top of mind for regulators and tech companies as cyberattacks are on the rise with hackers harvesting sensitive data, attacking digital supply chains and using AI to curate advanced threats. At the same time, small and medium-sized businesses often find themselves unprepared to fend off major cybersecurity threats, putting entire systems at risk.


Sponsor: 

Washington Post

Date: 
Fri, 04/26/2024 - 09:00

Conversations with policy and industry leaders about efforts in the public and private sectors to bridge the digital divide.

Speakers

Jessica Rosenworcel

Chair, Federal Communications Commission

 

Nicol Turner Lee 

Director, Center for Technology Innovation, Brookings Institution

 

Aneesh Chopra

President, CareJourney


Sponsor: 

Senate Commerce Committee

Date: 
Wed, 05/01/2024 - 10:00

A hearing to consider legislation and presidential nominations including:


FCC Restores Net Neutrality

The Federal Communications Commission voted to restore a national standard to ensure the internet is fast, open, and fair. This decision to reclassify broadband service as a Title II telecommunications service allows the FCC to protect consumers, defend national security, and advance public safety. With this vote, the FCC restores fundamental authority to provide effective oversight over broadband service providers, giving the Commission essential tools to:

Reviewing wireless broadband technologies in the peak smartphone era: 6G versus Wi-Fi 7 and 8

With the arrival of the peak smartphone era, users are upgrading their smartphones less frequently, and data growth is decelerating. To ensure effective spectrum management decisions, policy makers require a thorough understanding of prospective wireless broadband technologies, current trends and emerging issues. We identify three emerging issues necessary for successful telecommunication policy. Firstly, evidenced-based policy making needs to be able to measure effectively how much demand takes place where and how.

The FCC Restores Net Neutrality—What That Means

Net neutrality, a set of policies designed to prevent internet-service providers from playing favorites among the websites they carry, is coming back. In a vote on April 25 the Federal Communications Commission classified internet service as a public utility. The definition is part of a new framework the FCC will use to regulate broadband networks. Net-neutrality rules typically bar internet-service providers from assigning priority to certain web traffic or creating so-called fast lanes for certain websites.

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