Verizon Communications reached a $3.3 billion deal that gives Vertical Bridge the exclusive rights to lease, operate and manage thousands of wireless communications towers over at least 10 years. The two companies said the agreement is structured as a prepaid lease, with upfront payments of about $2.8 billion in cash.
The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved Arkansas’ Initial Proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, a cornerstone of the Biden-Harris Administration’s “Internet for All” initiative. This approval enables Arkansas to request access to funding and begin implementation of the BEAD program. Arkansas was allocated over $1 billion to deploy or upgrade Internet networks to ensure that everyone has access to reliable, affordable, high-speed Internet service.
Broadband accessibility has rapidly transformed into a modern-day essential, integral to our nation’s economy. However, some still do not have access to basic internet connectivity, which became more evident during COVID-19. As a result, government programs like the $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program were created to expand internet connectivity to unserved and underserved areas.
DirecTV agreed to buy Dish from owner EchoStar for a nominal $1, plus the assumption of roughly $9.8 billion in debt. That merger depends on an agreement with bondholders to write off about $1.6 billion of the Dish obligations as well as approval from multiple federal regulators. Merging Dish with DirecTV would bolster both brands’ profits as their customer bases erode. The deal would create the largest U.S.
Access to reliable and affordable high-speed internet remains a pressing need across the U.S., especially in states with higher rural populations. The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program aims to address the connectivity gap between those who have access and those who don’t.
Over $158 million in broadband expansion projects were approved by the Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board. The 50 awarded projects are funded by the American Rescue Plan Act Capital Project Funds. The Oklahoma Broadband Office had $159 million available to award for the projects. The projects will bring internet service to over 28,000 homes and businesses spanning 28 counties in Oklahoma, mostly in rural areas. The 50 approved grants are for 12 different internet service providers.
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