What's on the agenda for policymakers.
Agenda
NTXIA and NCTCOG Partner to Re-Launch "Internet for All” Coalition as Internet for North Texas to Expand Internet Access Across North Texas Region
North Texas Innovation Alliance is a 501(c)3 regional consortium of over 40 municipalities, agencies, corporations and academic institutions across North Texas working to create the most connected, smart and resilient region in the country. The alliance is re-launching the "Internet for North Texas Coalition” (I4NTX).
Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen Visits Comcast Stafford Rural Broadband Expansion Project
Despite the challenges we’ve faced, we’ve emerged stronger and poised for future growth. Investing in high-speed internet is an Administration-wide priority, with a goal of connecting every American by 2030. It’s a key example of our agenda to expand our economy’s capacity to produce in order to drive growth while increasing opportunity for people and places that haven’t had enough of it.
Another Vehicle for ACP Funding
On May 9, 2024, Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) introduced new legislation to strengthen the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), complete the equipment removal of China-based telecommunications companies, Huawei and ZTE, and allow the Federal Communications Commission to auction certain spectrum licenses to create more responsive networks for consumers. The bill would:
Billions of dollars are allocated for last mile service to rural America. An estimated 42 million Americans will for the first time in their lives have access to high-speed internet. The importance of creating middle mile architecture capable of supporting this new capacity and services cannot be overstated. This webinar will discuss the need for rural middle mile infrastructure and the perils of not having it when millions of new last mile services are deployed.
NDIA Continues to Fight for Rigorous Digital Discrimination Rules
The National Digital Inclusion Alliance has warned policymakers about digital redlining, a discriminatory practice that prevents certain populations from having internet access, since 2017. Thanks in part to these warnings and advocacy efforts, the creation of digital discrimination rules was mandated in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Webinar Three: Implementation - Building and Operating the Network
June 11th, 12 pm - 1pm ET
The last webinar will focus on the challenges of and strategies for building the physical infrastructure and launching services. Panelists will discuss how they manage complex operations while also adapting to changing conditions, all in view of a community invested in their broadband.
We will announce additional speakers and community representatives in the coming weeks. Please be sure to RSVP.
Determining Roles and Partnerships
The second webinar will be focused on the possible structures for public broadband networks, from government entities to cooperatives. The panelists will discuss how communities determine which model is appropriate for them as they pursue and evaluate the partnerships they need for success.
Bill will be joined by
Congressional hearing in Bakersfield (CA) focuses on rural broadband debate
A delegation of US Congress members part of the Congressional Western Caucus and House Commerce Committee was in Bakersfield (CA) on May 10. At a nearly two-hour field hearing, Central Valley farming representatives joined rural internet service providers in highlighting the importance of high-speed connectivity to precision agriculture as well as poor communities reliant on computers for health care, education and remote work. While there was little question how vital internet service has become to rural areas, the underlying question was what role the government should have in not only he
Sunset of Section 230 Would Force Big Tech’s Hand
The internet’s original promise was to help people and businesses connect, innovate and share information. Congress passed the Communications Decency Act in 1996 to realize those goals. It was an overwhelming success. Section 230 of the act helped shepherd the internet from the “you’ve got mail” era into today’s global nexus of communication and commerce. Unfortunately, Section 230 is now poisoning the healthy online ecosystem it once fostered.
Rep Johnson Introduces Bill to Streamline Rural Broadband Projects
Rep Dusty Johnson (R-SD) introduced legislation to streamline the permitting process for broadband infrastructure projects. The Facilitating Optimal and Rapid Expansion and Siting of Telecommunications (FOREST) Act will cut down bureaucratic red tape to improve broadband access in rural America. The lengthy permitting process on federal lands has prevented the federal government from improving broadband access, even though billions of dollars are available to improve broadband deployment.