Research

Future G networks will require more dynamic, agile support for the management of radio spectrum on a fine-grained basis. The radio access network (RAN) technologies necessary to enable Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) have progressed significantly over the past 20 years, but the challenges of realizing the potential for DSA requires the co-evolution of technologies, business models, and regulatory policy. This paper presents a multidisciplinary research effort to develop the building blocks needed to advance DSA.

Millions of low-income Californians lack affordable broadband access, limiting their ability to connect to essential services like healthcare, education, and job opportunities. The expiration of the federal Affordable Connectivity Program has left a gap in broadband subsidies, exacerbating affordability challenges for many households. This report examines policy solutions to address broadband affordability, including a $15 per month price cap for low-income households and state-level subsidies. It also explores the economic and public health benefits of expanding broadband access.

In recent years, a new dimension of International Relations has begun to emerge. It involves not only the traditional actors of diplomacy, but also fosters dialogue between states and the private tech industry. This new form of interaction is referred to as “Tech Diplomacy” or (increasingly) Techplomacy. This emergent way of practicing International Relations was spurred by the unprecedented influence induced by the giant Technological Companies.

This study investigates the impacts of 23 US Department of Agriculture Community Connect grant projects approved in fiscal years 2017–2019 on measured broadband download and upload speeds during 2019–2022 using program data, Ookla Speedtest data, and other data. We find that these projects had a positive impact on upload speed but not download speed, increasing upload speeds in project areas by an average of about 28 percent across the study periods. We find larger impacts on upload speed of projects that supported fiber-to-the-household than other projects and larger impacts in some geogra

This paper examines the parallels between historical telecommunications regulation and current proposals for increasing competition in technology markets, focusing on three key market characteristics the sectors share: network effects, economies of scale, and switching costs. Regulators have addressed these issues in telecommunications markets through mandatory interconnection among telephone networks, compulsory asset sharing, and number portability requirements.

Connected Nation (CN) released a new research report titled, “Beyond access: Learning the digital skills to thrive online,” which can be found here. The report describes what the term “digital literacy” means, details its importance, and discusses different approaches to teaching digital skills.

OpenVault released the Broadband Insights Report for the fourth quarter of 2024. Highlights include:

This policy brief examines the targeting of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, a $42.45 billion federal initiative under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) aimed at expanding high-speed internet access the United States. The analysis links state-designated BEAD-eligible locations to key demographic indicators, focusing on “BEAD clusters” – census block groups where at least half of broadband-serviceable locations qualify for funding.

The advancement of digital technologies has led to the evolution of media content delivery methods. In particular, Over-The-Top (OTT) services have experienced an explosive growth in the video content industry. The skyrocketing data traffic increases the burden on ISPs’ infrastructure, and the discourse on CPs’ payment of network usage fees has emerged. It is significant to review the case of Netflix-SK Broadband in South Korea, the world’s significant legal dispute over network usage fees.

Americans’ views of two prominent tech executives – Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg – tilt more negative than positive. Musk is a deeply polarizing figure, with Republicans largely viewing him favorably and Democrats largely unfavorably. By contrast, views of Zuckerberg are less polarized, with majorities in both parties viewing him unfavorably. Just over half of U.S. adults (54%) say they have an unfavorable view of Musk, including 36 percent who have a very unfavorable opinion of him.