Press Release

The Arizona Commerce Authority, in partnership with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), announced the Arizona Statewide Broadband Middle-Mile Strategic Plan, which supports current broadband expansion efforts on Interstate 17 and Interstate 19.

Brandy Reitter has begun her newly appointed role as Executive Director of the Colorado Broadband Office (CBO). Reitter is taking the helm amid historic funding opportunities that have the potential to bring reliable broadband to every community across the state. Reitter will drive the state’s broadband strategy to provide equal access for all Coloradans. Among her many leadership responsibilities, Reitter will direct substantial federal and state funding expenditures by working with industry, communities and agencies to ensure the greatest impact for digital literacy and inclusion.

Gov Phil Scott (R-VT) proposed a $51.5 million program, with money from the federal Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, to deploy 100 cell towers to reach unserved wireless areas in Vermont. Administered by the Department of Public Service, the Critical Communications Infrastructure Program (CCIP) will fund the deployment of additional cell towers to expand mobile wireless voice and data coverage throughout Vermont. Federal Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund As with broadband service, the need for expanded cell coverage is critical for telehealth, public safety, education, and the economy.

HP and the Aspen Institute announced a new global initiative to accelerate digital equity. The Digital Equity Accelerator will support participating nonprofits in scaling their innovative approaches to help meet the needs of underserved communities affected by the digital divide.

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced the formation of a cross-agency task force that will focus on creating rules and policies to combat digital discrimination and to promote equal access to broadband across the country, regardless of zip code, income level, ethnicity, race, religion, or national origin.

US Sens John Thune (R-SD), Tina Smith (D-MN), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced the Connect Unserved Americans Act. This bipartisan legislation would ensure that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) targets funding through the ReConnect Program to areas most in need of reliable broadband services.

The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society is proud to share the news that Benton Senior Counselor Andrew Jay Schwartzman has been awarded the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School Law Alumni Society’s highest honor, the James Wilson Award, “for a lifetime of public service.” In a February 3 virtual ceremony, Penn Law Dean Theodore Ruger said that Schwartzman—a member of Penn’s 1968 undergraduate class and the law school class of 1971—“is known as the dean of public interest commu

The Federal Communications Commission announced that Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel will serve as Chair of the relaunched and revitalized Cybersecurity Forum for Independent and Executive Branch Regulators, a federal interagency group that shares information and expertise to enhance the cybersecurity of America’s critical infrastructure. Initially launched in 2014, the Forum has been mostly inactive for the past several years.

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel notified Congress that providers have initially requested approximately $5.6 billion from the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program to cover the costs of removing, replacing, and disposing of insecure equipment and services in US networks. “We’ve received over 181 applications from carriers who have developed plans to remove and replace equipment in their networks that pose a national security threat," said Rosenworcel.

Spectrum announced the launch of Spectrum Internet, Mobile, TV and Voice services to more than 140 homes and small businesses in the Pittsville (MO) area. Spectrum’s newly constructed fiber-optic network buildout in Johnson County (MO) is part of the company’s approximately $5 billion investment in unserved rural communities, which includes $1.2 billion won in the Federal Communications Commission’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) auction.