Nebraska

Great Plains Communications (GPC) has been awarded a total of $3.54M as one of the winning bids through the Nebraska Public Service Commission’s (PSC) 2024 Reverse Auction to expand broadband access to more than 1,100 households in unserved areas of Nebraska. GPC’s funding will assist in providing high-speed fiber broadband services to approximately 310 unserved households in rural areas of Columbus, Hebron, Kearney, Madison, Mead, Monroe, Nebraska City, Palmer, Seward and Superior, Nebraska.

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has accepted Nebraska’s Digital Equity plan. Using $598,746.00 from the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program, Nebraska created a plan aimed at addressing disparities in digital access, skills and affordability across the state.

The Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) issued an Order awarding nearly $21 million to winning bids for broadband buildout to more than 1,100 unserved Nebraska households as a result of its 2024 Reverse Auction.

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) announced the grant of two long-form applications and issuance of nine licenses for Auction 108. WTB finds the applications for the licenses to be complete and in conformance with the FCC's rules. Granting the applications for the licenses serves the public interest, convenience, and necessity.  Furthermore, the FCC has received full payment for the licenses.

Just about six months into his appointed role as broadband director for Nebraska, Patrick Haggerty is upbeat, positive, and taking on Nebraska’s BEAD deployment with a smile.

Tracking broadband funding awards as they happen. In January 2024:

University of Nebraska scientists and staff are formalizing existing research and outreach in precision agriculture into a strategic initiative called NFarms. The effort, in collaboration with producers and industry, will refine and expand precision agriculture capabilities crucial to boosting farm efficiency and environmental sustainability. NFarms will be a test bed for new technologies, as well as platforms to help farmers better harness data. The initiative also will develop innovative decision-making tools producers can use for efficient field management.

The Nebraska Public Service Commission has approved an order awarding 22 grants totaling nearly $20 million from the Nebraska Broadband Bridge Program (NBBP). Created by the Nebraska Broadband Bridge Act the NBBP provides up to $20 million dollars annually for the development of broadband networks capable of at least 100/100 Megabits per second (up/down) in unserved and underserved areas of the state.