May 2024

Windstream, Georgia Electric Co-Op Partner on $39 Million Public-Private Partnership

Windstream, Colquitt Electric Membership Cooperative (EMC) and Lowndes County (GA), are teaming up on a $39 million public-private partnership to bring broadband to about 16,000 locations in the county. Windstream is contributing about $17.6 million. The other $21.7 million is funded through the Georgia State Fiscal Recovery Fund and the county. Windstream will handle cost overruns. The project, which will provide multi-gigabit service to users, will include 806 miles of fiber.

Comcast NBCUniversal unveils several initiatives to bolster support for veterans, service members, and military families

In celebration of Military Appreciation Month, Comcast NBCUniversal unveiled several initiatives to bolster support for veterans, service members, and military families. New and existing military-connected customers can enjoy our Xfinity Military Benefits. Comcast NBCUniversal continues its commitment to advancing digital equity for veterans, service members, and their families.

Shadow Budgets: How mass incarceration steals from the poor to give to the prison

Prisons and jails generate billions of dollars each year by charging incarcerated people and their communities steep prices for phone calls, video calls, e-messaging, money transfers, and commissary purchases. A lot of that money

Preparing for the End of the Affordable Connectivity Program in New York City

The Affordable Connectivity Program has 23 million participants nationwide—including 1.9 million households in New York State and nearly 1 million households in New York City. As broadband access becomes increasingly essential for connecting with education, employment, and services—and New Yorkers grapple with a widespread affordability crisis—New York can’t afford to reverse course on making broadband more affordable. Congress still has time to act in May to reauthorize funding for the ACP and New York’s congressional delegation should lead the charge.

Sponsor:

Fiber Broadband Association

Date:

Wed, 05/08/2024 - 10:00 to 10:30

Joanne Hovis will be providing an inside look at the $42B NTIA BEAD funding timelines for states and how these state programs are coming together.

Read more about Inside Scoop On What's Coming With BEAD

Lawmakers Make Final $7 Billion Push to Save $30 Monthly Internet Discounts

Backers of a popular subsidy for Americans’ monthly internet bills are making last-minute appeals to leaders to keep the program funded, with Senate proponents hoping to attach the measure to a pending federal aviation bill set to pass Congress soon. The more than 22 million low-income households enrolled in the Affor

Tennessee Provider United Communications Taps Electric Company Ties to Expand Broadband

Broadband provider United Communications and majority owner Middle Tennessee Electric (MTE) are partnering to expand the scope of a major fiber buildout that they undertook in 2023. They are expanding a fiber build in Williamson County, Tennessee. Construction in that county was initially designed to reach 2,800 addresses but the new target is 8,000 locations. Funding for the initial stage of the Williamson County project came through Project UNITE, an initiative consisting of United, MTE and Duck River Electric Membership Corporation.

Inside libraries' battle for better e-book access

Librarians are mounting a fierce state-by-state battle against the high prices they pay to provide patrons with e-books—so far, with little to show for it. Th

A Troubling Decision on Rates

The 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan ruled recently that federal telecommunications law does not stop states from regulating broadband rates. This was in relation to a 2018 law passed by the State of New York that required internet service providers (ISPs) to offer low-income rate plans for as low as $15 per month. ISPs appealed the new law, and a US District Court issued an injunction against the law. The recent ruling overturned that injunction and puts the law back into effect.

Internet assistance program cuts subsidy payments ahead of funding draught

Regulators and members of the telecom industry are ratcheting up the pressure on Congress to renew an expiring internet subsidy program, which just downgraded its monthly subsidies from $30 to $14 as it enters its final month of operation. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) will fully cease providing financial support at the end of May if lawmakers fail to imbue the program with new funds. If nothing changes, more than three-quarters of participating households said they’ll have to change their internet plan or forgo service entirely, according to a Federal Communications Commission

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