Legislation

The Reason Foundation remarks to the Federal Communications Commission in response to the In Re: Delete, Delete, Delete request for comments. The Foundation's comments focused on:

The Michelson 20MM Student Fellowship empowers students to lead change in higher education. In a 10-month program, fellows learn key advocacy skills, build projects that tackle student-identified challenges, and ultimately launch a student-led campaign.

The American Library Association submitted remarks to the Federal Communications Commission in response to the In Re: Delete, Delete, Delete request for comments. ALA's comments focused on addressing the regulatory burdens of the E-Rate Program. Recommended changes include:

The Information Technology & Innovation Foundation submitted remarks to the Federal Communications Commission in response to the In Re: Delete, Delete, Delete request for comments. Some of ITIF's recommendations:

On December 23, 2024, the Spectrum and Secure Technology and Innovation Act was enacted, authorizing the Federal Communications Commission to borrow from the Treasury of the United States up to an additional $3.08 billion to carry out the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019. The FCC has now borrowed the full amount authorized under the statute.

The Colorado Broadband Office released its 2024 Year in Review, providing progress updates on the goal of connecting 99 percent of Colorado households to high-speed internet. Some highlights include: 

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein announced more than $41 million in Completing Access to Broadband program projects to connect 11,816 households and businesses in 17 counties to high-speed internet. These projects will be funded by more than $29 million from the federal American Rescue Plan awarded by the North Carolina Department of Information Technology and nearly $12.5 million from the selected broadband providers. The CAB program’s procurement process creates a partnership between counties and NCDIT to identify areas that need access, solicit proposals from prequalified internet serv

The ConnectALL Deployment Program in New York has released their Request for Applications for priority, reliable, and alternative technology solutions for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program. The RFA seeks proposals for about $644 million in funding.

Which network operators have been cleared to apply for funding in the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program? Telecompetitor checked state broadband office websites and polled states to find out. In the process, we obtained answers for most of the states. Rumors continue to circulate that the rules for the BEAD program may change.

The Vermont Community Broadband Board is inviting residents to attend the first regular Digital Empowerment Quarterly Meeting. It’s an opportunity to get an update on our work, share ideas, and ask questions. Vermont’s DE Plan is the way Vermont will make sure every resident has high-quality, accessible, affordable technology resources and knows how to use them. The virtual meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 16, 2:00-3:30.