The Federal Communications Commission is seeking public comment on a proposal to create a voluntary cybersecurity labeling program that would provide consumers with clear information about the security of their internet-enabled devices, commonly called “Internet of Things” (IoT) or “smart” devices. The proposed program—where qualifying products would bear a new US Cyber Trust Mark—would help consumers make informed purchasing decisions, differentiate trustworthy products in the marketplace, and create incentives for manufacturers to meet higher cybersecurity standards. The FCC’s program would be similar to the Energy Star program, which was created to help consumers identify energy-efficient appliances and encourage more companies to produce them in the marketplace—but for more cybersecure smart devices. According to one third-party estimate, there were more than 1.5 billion attacks against smart devices in the first six months of 2021 alone. Meanwhile the number of smart devices is skyrocketing, with some estimating that there will be more than 25 billion connected devices in operation by 2030. If the program is established, you would be able to easily identify smart devices and products that meet widely accepted security and privacy standards by looking for the US Cyber Trust Mark logo. The logo would appear on packaging alongside a QR code that you could scan for more information. The QR code would link to a national registry of certified devices so that you could compare these devices and get the most and up-to-date security information about each. The FCC expects that over time, an increasing number of manufacturers would participate in the voluntary program to demonstrate their commitment to privacy and security, as there would be increased consumer demand for easily identifiable trustworthy smart products.

As state leaders forge proposals for Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) funding, local stakeholders are imploring them not to forget about the role of community anchor institutions (CAI). CAIs are rooted entities such as hospitals, schools, universities, and government agencies that drive economic growth and social welfare in their communities. “If you're building out to those unserved homes, and there are anchor institutions, you might as well connect the anchors while you're there,” said John Windhausen, founder and executive director of the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition. The coalition got involved while Congress created the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) a couple of years ago, resulting in anchor institutions being referenced 29 times in the legislation. Windhausen said the legislation “strongly encourages” the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the states to provide funding for anchor institutions to bring them up to at least gigabit speed. “But now we're in this kind of tricky, difficult world of implementation,” he added. While SHLB thinks that using CAIs as a “jumping off point” for broadband expansion makes economic sense, state broadband offices and other stakeholders will have to be “a little bit more creative in how [they] look at that legislative BEAD language.” For part of their BEAD proposal, states must define what they consider a CAI. If a state’s definition deviates from the NTIA’s definition, they must justify any changes. Under the NTIA’s rules, CAIs can be funded through BEAD, but states must prove they have enough funds for their unserved and unserved populations first and foremost. Although, states “don't have to burn through [their] unserved money, and burn through your underserved money and then serve CAIs,” Judson Cary, Colorado’s assistant attorney general of broadband, explained–“Your plan just has to show yeah, I have the money to do it, and then you can start building to CAIs immediately.”

The Wyoming Broadband Office (WBO), part of the Wyoming Business Council, made its draft Digital Access Plan available to the public on July 18, 2023, and is allowing one month for residents to submit their feedback. The draft plan includes a vision for digital equity for the state, a set of goals to activate that vision within Wyoming’s Digital Access program, current assets and barriers, and an implementation plan to achieve the goals and address the barriers identified. Wyoming’s vision is to ensure that every citizen and business can connect to and effectively use affordable, reliable, and future-proof broadband. The first part of this vision – connecting – is critical to success for Wyoming. The second part of this vision – affordability – will be realized through both Wyoming’s BEAD Five-Year Action Plan and Digital Access Plan. The third part of this vision – effective use of broadband – will be achieved by increasing the number of people and businesses who both find value in broadband internet access and make meaningful use of it.

As a two-peninsula state, Michigan has broadband accessibility challenges others states may not have, said Eric Frederick, chief connectivity officer at the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI). Thus, it is being careful to make the most of its Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) allocation, which is approximately $1.56 billion. “We’re taking a very measured and calculated approach to BEAD…making sure the investment that is here is going to be able to truly achieve universal availability,” Frederick said. “We’re...making sure we get it right the first time, because we only have one shot.” As for hurdles to Michigan broadband deployment, he pointed to geography—as it’s challenging to connect all locations “when we’re not one contiguous piece”—and winter weather that shortens the construction season, an issue neighboring state Minnesota also faces.