Free Apartment Wi-Fi networks are the most cost-effective strategy for states to close the digital divide. Twenty to twenty-five percent of the digital divide is concentrated in affordable multi-dwelling units (MDU). By allocating less than 18% of their Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funds to deploy hotel-style Wi-Fi networks in these buildings, states can quickly and cost effectively impact the digital divide for millions of unconnected households. Congress has designated Free Apartment Wi-Fi networks as priority use of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funds. The IIJA designates the installation of Free Apartment Wi-Fi networks in substantially unserved affordable multifamily housing as a priority broadband deployment. This creates an unprecedented opportunity to bring affordable high-speed internet to historically marginalized communities and those living on lower incomes. Additionally, several states, including Nevada, New York, Maryland, and Massachusetts, are using Capital Project Funds (CPF) to install Free Apartment Wi-Fi networks in MDUs. BEAD requires states to connect the 9,417 MDUs that the Federal Communications Commission's National Broadband Map identified as unserved and underserved. Free Apartment Wi-Fi is the most cost-effective way to meet this requirement. A state action plan for deploying Free Apartment Wi-Fi includes the following steps: 1) Commit BEAD and Digital Equity Act (DEA) funding to deploy Free Apartment Wi-Fi programs; 2) Include all Free Apartment Wi-Fi eligible MDUs in BEAD initial proposals; 3) Follow NTIA guidance to go beyond the FCC's Broadband Map and determine the connectivity status of MDUs; 4) Work with EducationSuperHighway to identify priority buildings, estimate budgets and develop a statewide implantation plan.

Connect Humanity is excited to announce that Connect Humanity and Appalachian Community Capital are partnering to raise a $25 million fund Investing in Digital Equity in Appalachia (IDEA). The fund will make investments to help bridge the digital divide across the Appalachian region, one of the least connected parts of the US. Through this partnership, Appalachian Community Capital and Connect Humanity will also be focusing on developing opportunities and the capacity for local capital to invest in local infrastructure, including supporting a community of local Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), banks, impact investors, and foundations investing to achieve digital equity across Appalachia. The first phase of the partnership will focus on raising and deploying the $25 million IDEA Fund to help finance new broadband networks in unconnected and underserved areas in Appalachia, primarily in communities participating in the Appalachia Digital Accelerator. CDFIs and other investors will have the opportunity to participate directly in IDEA Fund or as capital partners on individual projects. 

Even before he took office Governor Phil Murphy (D-NJ) realized that access to high-speed internet is now a prerequisite for participation in our increasingly connected economy. One of the Murphy administration's first priorities was to create a middle-mile, fiber-optic cable network to connect New Jersey’s rural and urban communities to high-speed internet. In New Jersey, as elsewhere, the COVID-19 pandemic shined a spotlight on technology and connectivity gaps. Schools closed and moved to fully virtual learning environments. "But without equity of access, no amount of innovative program[ming] can boost student learning," said New Jersey Department of Education Commissioner Dr. Lamont Repollet at a June 2020 briefing with Governor Phil Murphy (D-NJ). The state stepped up efforts to close the digital divide.

Mid-Atlantic provider Lumos turned up service in Burlington (NC), claiming it will be the first fiber provider for many of the city’s residents. Asad Ramzanali, Chief of Staff for the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy, commended Lumos for its expansion across the state. For Lumos’ part, CEO Brian Stading stated the Burlington launch “represents our ongoing commitment to bridge the digital divide” and the operator will look forward “to working with our federal, state, and local partners to continue this expansion in the months and years to come.” Lumos serves more than 225,000 locations across NC and Virginia. It’s also undertaking fiber builds in South Carolina (Columbia and Spartanburg County). Lumos scored three grants to expand in NC’s Durham, Guilford and Wayne counties. Lumos’ awards were part of the state’s new $80 million funding round.

From my perch as the head of our Nation’s expert agency on communications, I can’t help but be an optimist about the future of AI. Every day I see how communications networks power our world. I know how their expansion and evolution can change commercial and civic life. I also know the power of those communications networks can grow exponentially when we can use AI to understand how to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of our networks. Because the day is not far off when we will be able to use this technology to help self-configure, self-optimize, and self-heal facilities. It provides a level of insight and precision that can increase network trust and help turn communications scarcity into abundance. So those are three reasons to be optimistic about AI in communications—spectrum efficiency, network resiliency, and tools to protect consumers.

Lina Khan, the chair of the Federal Trade Commission, faced more than three hours of criticism and ridicule from Republicans in a House hearing, as emboldened critics increasingly put pressure on the agency for its crackdown on the growing power of tech giants. During the highly partisan hearing, Republicans accused Chair Khan, who has carried out an aggressive agenda of lawsuits and investigations against tech companies, of “harassing” businesses. The lawmakers, who repeatedly cut off Chair Khan midsentence, also ridiculed her for the FTC’s recent losses in antitrust cases and for wasting government resources. But Chair Khan appeared unruffled. She highlighted the F.T.C.’s challenges to mergers in pharmaceutical, semiconductor, defense and energy markets. Many of those challenges did not go to court. She said she didn’t bring cases that she thought would lose but, without referring to the Microsoft case, acknowledged the risks of her strategy. House Judiciary Committee Jim Jordan (R-OH) accused the agency of “harassing” Twitter in its investigation of the company’s security practices. Chairman Jordan, who has accused Democrats of censoring Republican views, has praised Twitter’s owner, Elon Musk, for loosening restrictions on speech.