Localism

In exchange for obtaining a valuable license to operate a broadcast station using the public airwaves, each radio and television licensee is required by law to operate its station in the “public interest, convenience and necessity.” This means that it must air programming that is responsive to the needs and problems of its local community of license. In addition, how other media facilitate community discussions.

Northwest FiberworX and Lamoille FiberNet announce plans to expand broadband internet in Vermont

A publicly owned, open-access fiber network could be on the way for 31 Vermont communities. Northwest FiberworX and Lamoille FiberNet are two communications union districts that have agreed to build and own an open-access fiber network. The network would host multiple service providers with the intention of serving everyone in its communities on the grid, both homes and businesses. Sean Kio, the executive director of Northwest FiberworX, says 50 to 60 percent of the estimated $109 million in costs will come from state and federal grants.

Hamilton, Ohio, to offer broadband to all businesses

Hamilton (OH) has offered broadband services for some businesses during a beta test, but now is opening it up to any business in the city. City Council approved legislation that will implement a permanent offering for broadband services. “The intent is to provide local, reliable, affordable utilities to our customers and to provide those at a level of service that’s requested by our community,” said Edwin Porter, Hamilton’s executive director of Infrastructure.

Tippecanoe County, Indiana, invests $15 million in American Rescue Plan funds for broadband

Broadband internet will reach nearly all parts of Tippecanoe County (IN) after work finishes on a multi-million-dollar project. It's one of several county projects paid for by President Joe Biden's American Rescue Plan. "Tippecanoe County will be one of the first to be able to say that we have that type of service to every single parcel," County Commissioner Tom Murtaugh says. "These are remote areas.

How a State Can Blow a Once-in-a-Generation Investment to Close the Digital Divide

The Illinois General Assembly is currently considering legislation that will constrain the state's use of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act broadband funding and likely impair efforts to close the digital divide in Illinois.

The Digital Equity Leadership Lab: A Case Study of Community Leadership Development to Promote Digital Equity and Justice

In 2021, twenty-five community leaders from across Baltimore came together with national experts in areas related to network engineering, federal policymaking, community broadband networking, and grassroots organizing for a five-week online program, called “The Digital Equity Leadership Lab (DELL).” DELL was created by Rober

Expanding Access To Create Connected Communities in Orchard Knob, Tennessee

A new program in Chattanooga (TN)’s Orchard Knob neighborhood will expand access to internet connectivity - as well as digital technology and services - to improve residents’ health and quality of life. The pilot program, which aims to reach 1,000 residents, will be funded through a more than $600,000 grant from TVA’s Connected Communities grant program.

Howard County, Maryland, Ensures Broadband to 85 Percent of Unserved Households

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced exciting, new Transform Howard projects that will make remarkable progress in closing the digital divide in Howard County (MD) with broadband expansion to 85 percent of currently unserved households. Ball detailed three projects to implement public Wi-Fi and broadband in Elkridge to 100 households and expand broadband access in Western Howard County to 462 households.

These obstacles are getting in the way of expanding broadband in North Carolina

For many months during the pandemic, Americans were forced to function remotely and were dependent upon internet access to stay connected with work or school. Those who lacked quality access fell behind. With recent passage of the bipartisan Infrastructure and Jobs Act, $65 billion in federal funds will be used to expand broadband infrastructure to underserved communities across the US.

Utah Internet Speed Test Seeks Data to Improve Statewide Internet Speeds

The Utah Broadband Center, powered by the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, has launched a statewide internet speed test campaign for Utahns to report their internet speed at home, work, or wherever they connect. In partnership with GeoPartners, a geospatial engineering firm, data from the Utah Internet Speed Test campaign will be mapped and used to identify areas of low or no access to high-speed internet.

Detroit program helps close the Digital Divide for residents

Joshua Edmonds, director of Digital Inclusion with the City of Detroit, said the city set up a program in 2019 called Connect 313 to help residents get access to broadband connectivity. The initial goal was “building a table for which everybody who was intersecting with the Digital Divide could sit. Whether that’s our telecom providers, residents, non-profits, community organizations, churches, big tech companies.” The program now has over 500 member organizations. The City of Detroit has done a number of things as part of Connect 313.