Internet/Broadband

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for funding that will help rural businesses create and save jobs in their communities. USDA is making loans and grants available under the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) programs for fiscal year 2025. Through the programs, USDA provides zero-interest loans to local utilities which they then provide to local businesses for projects to create and retain employment in rural areas.

Frontier received $6.5 million in Connect Illinois grant funding to expand high-speed fiber broadband service in rural Knox County. The grant from the Illinois Office of Broadband, along with $1.1 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding committed by the Knox County Board, will accelerate our expansion of our fiber-optic network in the county. With this grant, we will bring fast, reliable connectivity to homes and businesses in rural Knox County, boosting economic and educational opportunities for the county.

As a lifelong disabled person who constantly copes with multiple conditions, I have a natural tendency to view emerging technologies with skepticism. Most new things are built for the majority of people—in this case, people without disabilities—and the truth of the matter is there’s no guarantee I’ll have access to them. AI could make these kinds of jumps in accessibility more common across a wide range of technologies.

In an effort to stop resellers from buying dishes in one region—where the hardware is cheaper—and selling them in another, Starlink is imposing a new “outside region fee” for its satellite internet kits activated “outside of the region they were originally sold in.”Starlink has designated these six specific regions as the US and Canada, Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Oceania.

After Louisiana was the first state to have its Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) rural broadband funding released in late 2023, it was several months before any other states had their funding released. It looked like a sure bet that Louisiana would be the first to make BEAD awards—and, according to Louisiana Broadband Director Veneeth Iyengar, that’s still the case. Montana recently became the first state to begin accepting BEAD applications. Louisiana began accepting applications a few days later, on August 19.

Governor Mike DeWine (R-OH), Lt. Governor Jon Husted (R-OH), and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik announced a state investment of $94.5 million that will provide affordable, high-speed internet access to more than 35,000 households across the state. As part of the second round of the Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Grant (ORBEG) program, the Broadband Expansion Authority authorized BroadbandOhio to provide funding to two internet service providers, Time Warner Cable Midwest and Brightspeed, for six projects serving 23 counties.

Spectrum announced the launch of Spectrum Internet, Mobile, TV and Voice services to more than 440 homes and small businesses in Midland County (MI). Spectrum’s newly constructed fiber-optic network buildout will serve residents and businesses in portions of Geneva, Greendale and Jasper Townships.

In May 2023, Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), the minority leader of the Senate Commerce Committee, sent a letter to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting an examination of how the Federal Communications Commission administers the Universal Service Fund (USF). The USF consists of money collected from telecommunications companies that is dedicated to fulfilling the goals of universal service.

Communities looking to leverage American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for broadband or other local infrastructure need to act soon or risk losing access to a once-in-a-generation funding resource. Most ARPA recipients seem well aware of the deadline, but data suggests more than a few communities could drop the ball. The Treasury Department tracks allotted ARPA awards and projected budget plans via a massive database.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) had reached a settlement agreement with Charter Communications, parent company of broadband provider Spectrum, which operates in 58 out of the 62 counties in New York State, requiring the communications company to provide discounted broadband service to low-income customers in the National Free School Lunch Program or receive Supplemental Security Income benefits. The settlement will require Charter to offer the program at $15/month for 50 Mbps download speed for four years to New Yorkers in the National