Masha Abarinova

As a two-peninsula state, Michigan has broadband accessibility challenges others states may not have, said Eric Frederick, chief connectivity officer at the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI).

As states draft their initial proposals for the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) is striving to help broadband offices tackle the cybersecurity aspect of the BEAD guidelines. Essentially, states must verify the vendors and suppliers to whom they award contracts have “adequate” cybersecurity and supply chain risk management (C/SCRM) plans.

Fastwyre Broadband is aiming to expand fiber access in Western Alaska, with the help of two new US Department of Agriculture (USDA) grants totaling nearly $70 million. The funds came from the USDA’s recent round of ReConnect Round Four awards, in which the agency dished out $714 million to cover 33 buildouts in 19 states. In Fastwyre’s case, it’s using the money to deliver fiber to around 3,000 people and 75 businesses in several communities across Alaska’s Nome Census Area.

The broadband industry of late has been buzzing with excitement after the White House revealed how much each state is getting from the $42.5 billion Broadband Access, Equity and Deployment (BEAD) program. Some states—like California, Texas and Missouri—bagged sizable BEAD allocations.

Mid-Atlantic provider Lumos turned up service in Burlington (NC), claiming it will be the first fiber provider for many of the city’s residents. Asad Ramzanali, Chief of Staff for the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy, commended Lumos for its expansion across the state. For Lumos’ part, CEO Brian Stading stated the Burlington launch “represents our ongoing commitment to bridge the digital divide” and the operator will look forward “to working with our federal, state, and local partners to continue this expansion in the months and years to come.” Lumos serves more than 22

Vyve Broadband, a cable and fiber provider operating in 16 states, recently unveiled plans to purchase Oklahoma-based Community Cable & Broadband (CCB)—a move Chief Operating Officer Andy Parrott called a “tuck-in acquisition.” Parrot said Oklahoma is a key market for Vyve, as it has support and infrastructure that goes throughout the state.

Where might consumers be paying the most for cable and internet service? New data from doxo, a billing aggregator, points to East Coast states like New Hampshire, Vermont and Delaware. According to doxo’s analysis of the most and least expensive states for cable and internet, New Hampshire came out on top with an average monthly bill of $151 per month, which is paid by 83% of households in the state.

Maryland just scored over $267 million in Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) funding. Kenrick Gordon, Director of Maryland’s Office of Statewide Broadband, is optimistic the amount will help fuel deployments, but he thinks it’ll take a couple of years before the money is available for broadband providers. Gordon said Maryland is currently working on its initial BEAD proposal and once it’s submitted, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has to review and approve it.

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) seeks to void a Virginia bill streamlining railroad crossing requests for broadband providers, claiming it shifts permitting power from the railroad owners to broadband providers. The law, which took effect on July 1, caps railroad crossing fees at $2,000 per crossing and requires broadband providers to reimburse railroad companies no more than $5,00

Aside from the incumbent operators, there are plenty of smaller broadband players striving to make a name for themselves. But how can broadband providers use branding to stand out from the rest of the crowd? Three providers have shared their reasons behind their branding decisions: