1. Monthly archive
  2. June 2024

June 2024

Fiber’s expanding sensing opportunities

As fiber continues to proliferate throughout the nation through federal and private investment, new and exciting opportunities to utilize it are opening beyond delivering high-speed, low-latency broadband to unserved and underserved areas of the country. Technologies using fiber as a sensor have been around for decades, but the growth of fiber deployments worldwide is opening up new applications in everything from monitoring cicadas to locating new energy sources. Fiber optic sensing measures changes in an optical fiber's naturally occurring light scattering.

Open Internet Rules

On May 7, the Federal Communications Commission reclassified “broadband Internet access service” (BIAS) as a “telecommunications service” subject to the jurisdiction of the FCC under Title II of the Communications Act. The FCC determined that “the freedom to send and receive lawful content and to use and provide applications and services without fear of blocking continues to be essential to the Internet’s openness,” and expressed concern that BIAS providers may be incentivized to block edge providers’ content. Under the Open Internet rules, BIAS providers are prohibited from impairing or de

Fixed Wireless Access in the US: Getting ready for Phase 2

Millions of new fixed wireless access (FWA) customers at Verizon and T-Mobile haven't affected the performance of the operators' respective 5G networks, according to new findings from network-monitoring company Opensignal. "Despite adding more than eight million 5G FWA subs using 400+ GB per month of data since Q1 2021,

Canada demands 5% of revenue from Netflix, Spotify, and other streamers

Canada has ordered large online streaming services to pay 5 percent of their Canadian revenue to the government in a program expected to raise $200 million per year to support local news and other home-grown content. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced its decision after a public comment period. The fees apply to both video and music streaming services.

California Contemplates Cuts to Middle-Mile Broadband Build

State budget woes will not derail a major broadband infrastructure project in California, but cuts will be made.

Request for Proposals for Residential Retrofit Program

Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, on behalf of the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) is issuing this Request for Proposals for the Residential Retrofit Program to solicit applications from Internet Service Providers (ISPs) or Managed Service Providers (MSPs) for fiber construction to eligible Affordable Housing Properties and in-building and in-unit installation of cabling and related equipment.

Governor Hochul Unveils Application Guidelines for More Than $11 Million in ConnectALL Funding to Expand Broadband Access Ahead of Application Launch Later This Month

Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled application guidelines for more than $11 million in new grant programs under Empire State Development’s ConnectALL Initiative, the largest-ever investment in New York's digital infrastructure, ahead of the launch of the applications on June 17. Together, the programs—the Regional and Local Assistance Program and the Digital Equity Technical Assistance Fund—will prepare local government and nonprofit organizations to participate in upcoming broadband deployment and digital equity programs across the state.

Governor Kelly Announces Nearly $4 Million Awarded through Broadband ADOPT Program

Governor Laura Kelly announced that seven organizations will receive a combined $3.9 million in grants through the Advancing Digital Opportunities to Promote Technology (ADOPT) program. ADOPT supports the Kelly administration’s work to connect more Kansans to high-speed internet by making public Wi-Fi accessible and distributing devices in underserved areas. The program helps organizations serving Kansans move forward by ensuring that communities can access public Wi-Fi and the devices needed to participate in today’s technology-driven world. ADOPT grants were awarded to: 

© 1994-2024 Benton Institute for Broadband & Society. All Rights Reserved.