Op-Ed

When you think of water infrastructure, what comes to mind? Most of us think of pipes, water treatment plants and reservoirs. But there’s an essential ingredient that many people miss: reliable fiber-optic internet. Broadband internet and water systems may seem like an odd pairing, but they’re inseparable when it comes to tackling the challenges Vermont faces today. Aging infrastructure, workforce shortages, and the growing impacts of climate change demand smarter, more efficient solutions. Broadband is the backbone that makes those solutions possible.

The Trump Administration nominee who will oversee the distribution of $42.45 billion in broadband subsidies has pledged to move away from an 'extreme tech bias in favor of fiber' toward technology neutrality—a welcome shift that could bring transformative connectivity to rural America. Low-earth orbit satellite broadband has fundamentally changed the economics of rural deployment, and a neutral approach that considers cost, quality, and speed of implementation could stretch taxpayer dollars significantly further through an efficient mix of fiber, terrestrial wireless, and satellite technolo

Another day, another embarrassing analyst flub.

The Department of Government Efficiency should live up to its name and propose lasting reforms that improve government efficiency. Freeing up federal spectrum for commercial uses presents such an opportunity. For that to happen, however, the agencies that control much of the nation’s spectrum need a better incentive to give some of it up. Spectrum is the foundation for the ubiquitous wireless technologies that have become essential for businesses and consumers.

Why is the government risking a return to a healthcare regulatory regime that results in worse outcomes, less access to care and higher costs? The motives are unclear, but that would be the outcome if Congress lets the current regulatory framework for telehealth and hospital-at-home lapse, which it will if not renewed in 2025. The arguments to extend the waivers, as laid out in a letter from more than 350 healthcare organizations, are powerful.  Extensions will:

Community-owned broadband networks are thriving across the country. The Institute for Local Self-Reliance’s Community Network Map shows a record 795 public networks delivering fast, affordable and reliable internet—hardly the “magical thinking” Annette Meeks described in her recent commentary in the Minnesota Star Tribune on the Connect Willmar Initiative.

The layoffs of staff serving in the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Educational Technology are a profound loss for the nation’s education system. For over 30 years, OET provided essential leadership in shaping ed-tech policy, guiding practice and fostering innovation.

Community anchor institutions (CAIs)—such as schools, libraries, community health centers, and similar organizations—play a crucial role in offering free or affordable internet access to underserved communities. In many areas, the connectivity options offered by CAIs—whether on-site (via wired or wireless networks) or through remote programs like hotspot lending—are among the few affordable and reliable services available.

When severe weather prevented Bullitt County (KY) students from attending school full time, a crucial library hotspot lending program kept 30 percent of them connected to their studies. These students would otherwise have had no access to virtual learning from their homes. This same program helps local farmers ensure the wellbeing of their livestock.

As a Marjorie and Charles Benton Opportunity Fund Fellow, I have been reviewing state digital equity plans, 5-Year Action Plans, Initial Proposals, and Final Proposals with the goal of understanding how states are working with Tribes on addressing broadband needs. A wise Oneida advisor of mine once shared that in order to properly engage with Indigenous communities, you must practice the three Rs: respect, relationship, and reciprocity. When it comes to the work on Tribal broadband in the U.S., these three essential practices can mean the success or failure of the landmark investm