With a $14 billion appropriation from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) has enrolled more than 14 million households in a short period of time and may be the most effective broadband benefit program to date with its direct-to-consumer model. The innovative program offers a valuable policy learning opportunity as lawmakers consider sustainable long-term funding options to continue it. Many features of the ACP reflect guidance from policy academics and researchers that supports a model that allows consumers more options. ACP recipients can choose the broadband plan of their choice and are not limited because of credit status or prior debt with the provider. Moreover, as the ACP is universally applicable, it allows consumers to switch providers and plans and does not charge recipients for early termination. There is broad bipartisan support for broadband support for low-income Americans, though the path through Congress is uncertain at this time. Estimates based on current trends show that the ACP is likely to run out of funding by mid-2024. Funding ACP for an additional five years could cost $30-$35 billion. Ideas to create a more sustainable source of funding for the ACP include: reforming the Universal Service Fund (USF); incorporating market solutions; or creating a short-term appropriation for the program through Congressional action. 

The Broadband Office in the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs is seeking proposals from qualified applicants to provide consultation services to the state and municipalities in regard to the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (CPF). New Hampshire has committed all of its available CPF program funds toward broadband buildout and is looking for a consultant that assures federal compliance, is a resource for NH communities, and helps the agency with other tasks as noted in the RFP Scope of Work. Anticipated Contract Start Date: Jan. 1, 2023

The results of a spring 2022 survey of 820 US undergraduate students, across four key areas: Technology Challenges and Solutions, Modality Preferences, Access to Educational Technology, and Student Success. Key findings from the research report include:

• Educational technology impacts student wellness. Most respondents experienced technology challenges over the past academic year, and about half of them reported that such issues caused them stress.
• Physical campus spaces continue to play an important role in students' access to education. Survey respondents most typically solve technology challenges on their own, but they still use institutional services such as computer labs and Wi-Fi access.
• The online versus face-to-face dichotomy is being disrupted. Students' modality preferences have shifted toward online options since 2020. No matter the modality, students are looking for flexibility, social interaction, and academic engagement.
• Device access is not a simple issue when examined through an equity lens. Not all students have the privilege of using their preferred devices for their school work. Survey respondents with disabilities and those with pandemic-related housing situations were less likely to use the devices they would prefer.
• Assistive technology can help all students. Respondents—even those not reporting any disability—indicated that they need to use a variety of assistive technologies. For example, over a third of respondents said that they need captions on videos.
• Students are whole people with complex learning needs and goals. Completing a degree is the most common way respondents defined a successful higher education experience, but they are also hoping to secure a job, achieve personal growth, secure a high salary, and more.

For the full report, follow this link here. 

After Elon Musk said his Starlink satellite-internet system was activated in Iran on Sept. 23, two men climbed onto the tiled roof of a residence in the Iranian city of Ahvaz and aimed a Starlink terminal into the sky. A faint signal was detected by the device for several seconds, then it disappeared. The men were seeking to help an Iranian protest movement struggling under a government crackdown on online communication, said Saeed Souzangar, a network engineer and one of the Iranian men. After three hours of tinkering with the Starlink kit smuggled into the country on a boat from Dubai, they gave up for the day, unable to establish a satellite link. Starlink didn’t respond to requests for comment. It is unclear if the Iranians’ failure to establish a satellite link was due to user problems or the Starlink system’s accessibility in Iran. With normal access to the internet often blocked for long periods by authorities because of the protests, Iranians have resorted to using hot spots and virtual private network applications to bypass the blockade on social media apps.