benton's blog

Op-ed

Taking Care of America: Whose Job Is It?

While we should be investing in expanding our communications infrastructure, many legislators are at work to cut the budget of the FCC

We live in an exceptional country, we like to tell ourselves. If that’s really so, why are we letting it crumble around us? Let’s take a quick and random look around.

Op-ed

The Next Generation Network Connectivity Handbook: Top Ten Overall Lessons

On July 21, 2015, Gig. U and the Benton Foundation published a comprehensive guide for communities who want better broadband for their residents and businesses. The Next Generation Connectivity Handbook: a Guide for Community Leaders Seeking Affordable Abundant Bandwidth is an indispensable tool in lowering the initial, daunting information barrier for cities just beginning to navigate critical Internet infrastructure issues.

Weekly Digest

U.S. Addresses the Digital Divide Where it Lives

You’re reading the Benton Foundation’s Weekly Round-up, a recap of the biggest (or most overlooked) telecommunications stories of the week. The round-up is delivered via e-mail each Friday; to get your own copy, subscribe at www.benton.org/user/register

Weekly Digest

A Human Rights Debate Reaches the FCC

Does everyone have a fundamental right to access the Internet?

Over the past two weeks, a debate at least three years old has reached the Federal Communications Commission: Does everyone have a fundamental right to access the Internet? That is – Is Internet access a human right?

Weekly Digest

FCC Moves Toward Making Broadband More Affordable Through Its Lifeline Program

You’re reading the Benton Foundation’s Weekly Round-up, a recap of the biggest (or most overlooked) telecommunications stories of the week. The round-up is delivered via e-mail each Friday; to get your own copy, subscribe at www.benton.org/user/register

Analysis

Tom Wheeler - The Halftime Report

This is a good time to assess what FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has accomplished since November 2013 -- and what is to come

Tom Wheeler’s tenure as Federal Communications Commission Chairman is at the halfway point. This is a good time to assess what he has accomplished and what is to come.

Weekly Digest

What Just Happened to NSA Reform?

You’re reading the Benton Foundation’s Weekly Round-up, a recap of the biggest (or most overlooked) telecommunications stories of the week. The round-up is delivered via e-mail each Friday; to get your own copy, subscribe at www.benton.org/user/register

Analysis

Federal Funding Fosters Senior Digital Learning

A small number of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act projects focused on connecting seniors. Here are a few highlights.

Concern about seniors being left behind in the digital divide is not a recent phenomenon. Some efforts date back to the mid-1990s. Others emerged when the federal government began to pay serious attention about a decade ago.