Internet/Broadband

Two undersea internet cables in the Baltic Sea have been suddenly disrupted, according to local telecommunications companies, amid fresh warnings of possible Russian interference with global undersea infrastructure. Telecommunications company Telia Lithuania's monitoring systems could tell there was a cut due to the traffic disruption, and that the cause was likely physical damage to the cable itself. Another cable linking Finland and Germany was also disrupted, according to Cinia, the state-controlled Finnish company that runs the link.

A new presidential administration will take office in January 2025, ushering in a new era at the Federal Communications Commission. Thanks to Project 2025, we have a unique ability to predict what this will mean for broadband regulation.

Louisiana is the first state in the nation to award federal Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding through the state’s GUMBO 2.0 program. The state will deploy $1.355 billion in total through these awards to support broadband access throughout the state. GUMBO 2.0 will expand fiber optic connectivity to approximately 140,000 locations across the state, supporting 100,000 households, 35,000 small businesses and 4,000 community anchor institutions such as public safety locations, schools and hospitals.

Eight projects totaling $17.3 million for high-speed internet expansion were officially launched by the Oklahoma Broadband Office (OBO) and Dobson Fiber. The projects, funded through $11.6 million in federal grants administered by the OBO coupled with $5.7 million in matching funds from Dobson Fiber, will connect 1,829 homes and businesses with broadband internet using fiber optic technology. The award from ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) was made earlier this year by the Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board. 

Telling an evidence-based story of organizational success is essential for acquiring grants, building trust with clients, and establishing strong ties with partner organizations. As federal funding radically alters the digital equity landscape over the coming decade, this task will only become more important. To support organizations positioned to receive those funds we build on existing evaluation guides targeting the digital equity practitioner community.

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day announced that applications are open for the Office of Statewide Broadband’s new Computer Labs Program. The new digital equity program will administer $2 million in grants to local governments and other partners to support the creation and expansion of computer labs and centers.

A new two-year, $2.5 million project funded by the N.C.

In October and November, the SHLB Coalition received seven outstanding nominations for our annual board election. Midway through the election season, one of our current board members unexpectedly stepped down due to personal health reasons, increasing our open seats from two to three. One of these seats is always designated for a staff member at an Anchor Institution. Voting ran through November 5.

US Representative Bob Latta (R-OH) said, "Congratulations to Brendan Carr on being named the next Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission by President-elect Trump. Commissioner Carr has been steadfast in his work at the FCC to help close the digital divide, protect free speech, and safeguard American communications networks from communist Chinese influence. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with Commissioner Carr on these initiatives in the House Commerce Committee in the 119th Congress, and I know he will make an excellent Chairman of the FCC."

President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr, wasted no time in stating his priorities.