Press Release

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced hat it received more than 700 applications requesting more than $6.5 billion in funding to support digital equity projects across the country.

Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) announced $52 million in grants to expand broadband access to an estimated 7,700 homes and businesses throughout Minnesota. The grant awards will help broadband providers expand high-speed broadband service in 24 counties across Minnesota. The grants come from two Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) programs:

In 2022, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) launched the Broadband Infrastructure Program (BIP) to bridge the connectivity gap in unserved communities, including rural communities, in America.

The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation announces the selection of internet service providers (ISPs) to complete preapproved infrastructure projects that will improve broadband service for an estimated 6,700 locations in Jamestown, Newport, and Westerly. This round is the first of two to award nearly $25 million in Capital Projects Fund (CPF) investments. Three proposals were selected in a competitive bid process which prioritized speed and affordability by requiring buildouts to include end-to-end fiber networks that can deliver speeds of 100/100Mbps without exceeding $53.09/month.

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved California’s 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 California to request access to funding and begin implementation of the BEAD program. California was allocated over $1.8 billion to deploy or upgrade high-speed Internet networks to ensure that everyone has access to reliable, affordable, high-speed Internet service.  

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved North Carolina’s 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 North Carolina to request access to funding and begin implementation of the BEAD program. North Carolina was allocated over $1.5 billion to deploy or upgrade high-speed Internet networks to ensure that everyone has access to reliable, affordable, high-speed Internet service.  

Congressman Andrew Clyde (R-GA) introduced the Ending FCC Meddling in Our Elections Act. The legislation would prohibit the use of federal funds to enforce the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) notice of proposed rulemaking related to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in campaign advertising. In May, the FCC, led by a Democrat-appointed majority, voted 3-2 to propose new regulations impacting the use of AI in campaign advertising. The proposed rules would mandate that television and radio providers issue an on-air disclosure every time an AI-created ad is aired.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month by showcasing one of its Internet for All grantees that embodies this year’s theme: "Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together." At Universidad Ana G. Méndez, Carolina Campus (UAGM-CC) principal investigator and agent of change Dr. Luis Rosario-Albert leads the effort to connect Carolina County, Puerto Rico residents to Internet services and digital skills training through the UAGCM-CC Broadband Digital Inclusion Project (BDIP).

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel proposed revised spectrum sharing rules for non-geostationary orbit, fixed-satellite service (NGSO FSS) systems. This proposal would seek to clarify certain methodology details from the 2023 Report and Order that previously updated the FCC’s rules governing coordination and protection requirements among NGSO FSS systems approved through different processing rounds.

The Federal Communications Commission’s Enforcement Bureau announced the addition of Andy Hendrickson as its new Chief Technology Officer to provide strategic and technical advice on technological developments and issues with respect to the Enforcement Bureau’s work and as part of the ongoing effort to strengthen the Bureau’s technical expertise in support of its privacy, data protection, cybersecurity, and network outage enforcement work.