Universal Broadband

Today, internet connectivity is critical for everyone. But for many, having a reliable connection can mean the difference between life and death. This is especially true in communities facing natural disasters. From hurricanes to wildfires, droughts to tornadoes, the crises that hit households across the country each year highlight the need for reliable, affordable internet to keep families connected and emergency services accessible.

There is wide range of speculation on how the outcome of the election will change the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program to deploy high-speed internet networks to every unserved location in the country.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act sets an ambitious overarching goal: internet for all. But past access and adoption, states are asked to think about how increased access to and use of broadband can drive equitable outcomes in areas like access to health care and essential services, education and job training, and participation in the society, economy, and civic institutions of the Nation.

Donald Trump will nominate the veteran Wall Street financier Howard Lutnick to lead the Commerce Department, elevating one of the financial world’s most vocal supporters of Trump to a crucial position overseeing the incoming administration’s aggressive trade agenda. Lutnick, chief executive officer of the financial-services firm Cantor Fitzgerald, has become a close Trump ally and had been a top contender to lead the Treasury Department.

Alaska Power & Telephone Company proudly announces completion of the “SEALink South” submarine fiber optic cable project, the latest segment in its growing southeast Alaska broadband network. The AP&T team completed the installation one year ahead of schedule. SEALink South includes a submarine cable system interconnecting Ketchikan with the communities of Hollis and Coffman Cove, beachfront cable landing sites, various terrestrial facilities, and associated transport equipment.

North Carolinians will now be able to access community resources that support internet affordability, access to computers and digital devices, digital skills and literacy, tech support and free Wi-Fi with one call thanks to a partnership between the N.C. Department of Information Technology’s (NCDIT) Division of Broadband and Digital Equity and NC 211.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has laid out a list of all its accomplishments related to the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. But somehow, the list has a sad ring to it—as if it’s the final swan song of a group that’s worked very hard for three years but knows that all that work could get kicked under the rug by the new Trump administration. But in the interim, NTIA put out an announcement, updating everyone on the program and touting its milestones.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has reached a major milestone on the road to connecting everyone in America to affordable, reliable high-speed Internet service. As of November 19, all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the five territories participating in the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program have approved Internet for All plans. These plans outline how each state and territory will connect every one of their residents to the Internet.

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved Texas' Initial Proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, a cornerstone of the Biden-Harris Administration’s “Internet for All” initiative. This approval enables Texas to request access to funding and begin implementation of the BEAD program. Texas was allocated over $3.3 billion to deploy or upgrade Internet networks to ensure that everyone has access to reliable, affordable, high-speed Internet service.

Digital equity is about ensuring everyone has the tools and skills needed to fully participate in today’s society. Too often, this work is viewed as the responsibility of nonprofits, libraries, and community groups. But internet service providers (ISPs) also have a crucial role to play—not just as a ‘nice-to-do’ but as a smart business strategy. Investing in adoption isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s a strategy for long-term business growth. Here’s why: