Internet Society

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is one of several US federal and state government programs that seek to bridge the so-called “digital divide” through targeted consumer subsidies and support for infrastructure rollout. Though these subsidy programs aim to improve vital broadband and telecommunications access to low-income households, their uptake has varied across US states and counties. This fits the pattern of low participation rates in other means-tested broadband subsidy programs such as Lifeline and Linkup.

In 2022, Kathmandu-based Bikram Shrestha of the Nepal Internet Foundation was introduced to Chhepal Dorjee Sherpa, a trekking guide and entrepreneur who grew up in Khunde, Nepal. Bikram had prior experience with community networks, and together the two set out to build “the highest community network in the world.” At the time Khunde and Khumjung had patchy mobile phone coverage, with two dozen households paying about 1,000 rupees ($7.55) per month for an unreliable ADSL connection.

This guide offers an overview of federal funding options that could provide financial support to Tribal, state, and local governments and utilities in their efforts to expand broadband infrastructure. Varying dramatically in size, these funding opportunities target a wide variety of deployment scenarios and end users. The programs encompass infrastructure buildout, service subsidies, and technical planning assistance. This guide provides information on a range of funding opportunities—most of which are currently open, but some of which may be awaiting future funding.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the importance of broadband Internet connectivity into focus as work, school, healthcare, and more shift online. Internet connectivity is more important than ever in keeping our lives moving. The $1 million Expanding Potential in Communities (EPIC) Grant program supports broadband initiatives in the southeastern United States, funded by Truist Financial Corporation’s Truist Cares initiative, a $50 million philanthropic pledge to help rebuild communities in the company’s markets affected by COVID-19.

The Internet Society presented the prestigious Jonathan B. Postel Service Award to Onno W.

Eleven individuals hailing from six countries around the world, including Peru, Japan, Brazil, Netherlands, Togo and the US, are being inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame for their pioneering and visionary contributions to the Internet’s global growth, access and security. The 2019 inductees: 

Next Century Cities teamed up with the Internet Society and Neighborly to create the Becoming Broadband Ready toolkit. This comprehensive toolkit provides local leaders with a roadmap to encourage broadband investment in their community. While every community will choose to tackle connectivity a little differently – a small island community and a large urban center will likely have unique considerations and approaches – there are many common threads that run through successful broadband projects.

Since 2004, Federal Communications Commission rulemakings on net neutrality have been caught in a vicious cycle. They have been passed, fought in court, and returned to the FCC with minor (and sometimes major) revisions.

The newly-released 2018 Indigenous Connectivity Summit (ICS) Community Report shows a strong correlation between Indigenous connectivity and the well-being and sustainability of rural and remote Indigenous communities, especially when solutions are local. The report summarizes outcomes of the 2018 Indigenous Connectivity Summit that brought nearly 140 Indigenous leaders, policy makers, network operators, and community members to the Arctic community of Inuvik, Nrthwest Territories last Oct. Like most New Year’s resolutions, connectivity solutions are neither quick nor cheap.