Civic Engagement
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Commissioner Gomez' First Major Speech Describing Priorities at CHCI Celebrating Latina Excellence Series
One thing my experience has taught me is that companies hate regulation…that is until they want it. Yes, it is funny, but it is also true and not surprising. I am a firm believer in the power of competition to drive innovation that improves services and lowers prices for consumers. I believe that a vibrant, strong, and competitive telecommunications and media marketplace that promotes U.S. prosperity can also meet the needs of all consumers. But competition only works when the market works.
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Alaska's Plan to Address Broadband Adversity
laska’s residents know what adversity looks like when it comes to accessing high-speed internet. The scale of unserved and underserved communities across Alaska is an obstacle to community and economic development, particularly for Tribal and rural communities. With federal resources and strong collaboration with Tribal partners, the nonprofit sector serving Alaska’s most vulnerable communities, and cities and boroughs, the State of Alaska is working toward changing this landscape.
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Counties are partners, not barriers to broadband. It’s time to tell Congress the same
Recently proposed legislation in the House of Representatives has sought to up-end the role of local governments in the siting decisions process of both wireless and wireline broadband infrastructure. The legislation, The American Broadband Deployment Act of 2023 (H.R.
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How to Ensure Community Perspectives are Represented in Digital Equity Program Evaluations
How can participatory action research be used to develop a theory of change and an evaluation framework to benefit the digital equity field? In Developing a Digital Equity Theory of Change with Tech Goes Home, our research team discovered several findings that we believe can be useful for the U.S.
Minnesota Releases Draft BEAD Plans
Minnesota's Office of Broadband Development announced the public comment period for the State's Draft Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, Initial Proposal (Volumes I and II) for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Public comments on the BEAD Initial Proposal Volume 1 & 2 can be submitted online by completing this form. All comments must be received by 4:00 p.m. CDT, Tuesday, December 12, 2023.
Comment Period Open for Maryland's Digital Equity Plan
From November 1 to December 2, 2023, all Maryland residents are encouraged and invited to read the State’s draft Digital Equity Plan to share their feedback and recommendations. Maryland’s Digital Equity Plan will serve as the state roadmap to achieve digital equity over the next five years. The Office of Statewide Broadband will incorporate feedback received from the public during the open comment period, and will publish the final plan afterwards.
Oregon Broadband Office Draft State of Oregon Digital Equity Plan Public Comment
The Oregon Broadband Office (OBO) released the draft State of Oregon Digital Equity Plan which outlines how Oregon will use federal funds to provide reliable, affordable, high-speed internet, computing devices, and digital skills training to people who need it most. OBO developed the draft Digital Equity Plan after a robust public engagement and planning process to capture the diverse voices and lived experiences of all people and to identify the needs and barriers to digital equity. The draft State of Oregon Digital Equity Plan contains seven key sections.
Let Us Not Raise a Ruckus Over Net Neutrality
The commissioners sitting on the Federal Communications Commission should issue a joint statement reminding the public that “the comment process is not a vote.” To my mind, inviting commenters to make some noise and raise a ruckus is not the proper way to encourage public participation most conducive to creating a rulemaking record consistent with the agency’s supposed expertise. To the extent that making noise and raising a ruckus is understood as gearing up the mass comment machines, the notion is devalued that the FCC will be applying its expertise in deciding complex issues—say, what co
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FCC Extends Current Native Nations Communications Task Force and Seeks Nominations For Tribal Government Representatives To Serve on Renewed Task Force Beginning in 2024
The Federal Communications Commission announced an extension of the term of the current Native Nations Communications Task Force until the end of 2023. The current term—which was set to expire on October 24, 2023—will now expire on December 31, 2023. The FCC is also seeking applications for membership to serve on a renewed Task Force to start at the beginning of 2024. Applications should be submitted in accordance with the procedures outlined here.
Governor Kelly Invites Public Input on Volume 2 of Kansas Broadband Plan
Governor Laura Kelly (D-KS) announced the release of the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Initial Proposal Volume 2. As part of the planning process, the public is invited to submit comments on the planning document.