Upcoming event

Fiber buildout throughout the United States will not solve the digital divide alone. Though high-speed internet access is essential, we will only see success if we acknowledge and address non-deployment barriers. Inclusion must be built in from the beginning, not as an afterthought. Angela Siefer presents NDIA’s (potentially blasphemous) position in the fiber community and why implementing people-first digital inclusion solutions will be key to closing the digital divide.

Guest Presenter: Angela Siefer, Executive Director, National Digital Inclusion Alliance

The Federal Trade Commission and Justice Department are co-hosting a workshop to facilitate public dialogue on the 2023 Draft Merger Guidelines. The event will feature remarks by Aviv Nevo, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Economics, and Susan Athey, Chief Economist at the Justice Department, as well as two panel discussions.

Chairwoman Rosenworcel announced that the following items are tentatively on the agenda for the September Open Commission Meeting. The FCC will consider:

CyberShare Summit provides you with information and tools to help you protect your company from cyberthreats.

Tailored to the needs of small broadband providers and with the help of government leaders and industry experts, CyberShare Summit provides you the opportunity to:

• Examine best practices for risk management, gain insights on imminent threats and ways to manage future attacks.

A virtual webinar to launch and provide additional information about the E-Rate program Funding Year 2024 Tribal Library Pilot Program.

This webinar will provide an overview of the Tribal Library Pilot Program and explain how you can join the Pilot. Participants will also have an opportunity to ask questions they may have during, or in advance, of the event. The webinar will be recorded and available here on this event page.

The latest in a series of listening sessions to gain additional information and understanding from affected communities, state, local, and Tribal governments, public interest advocates, and providers about challenges, barriers and experiences in ensuring all people of the United States benefit from equal access to broadband. The purpose of the listening session is to continue the Federal Communications Commission's outreach in support of its ongoing efforts to promote equal access to broadband for everyone.

Over the last 20 years or so, the federal government has invested over $200 billion in efforts to bridge the digital divide. With more than 120 programs in place, the digital divide should be a distant memory. Yet it persists, and millions of Americans remain disconnected from the benefits of broadband. However, there is a bright spot among these broadband programs—one broadband program to rule them all. 

This forum will highlight the latest digital inclusion research, plus emerging methodologies and best practices in the sector.

At the in-person event, you'll join academics, researchers, community development practitioners and policymakers for impactful conversations around digital inclusion research in such areas as:

• Program evaluation.
• Outcomes measurement.
• Socioeconomic benefits of digital inclusion interventions.
• Historically underserved and unserved communities.

The meeting will include updates on the progress CSMAC subcommittees are making in addressing topics they are addressing, specifically the Citizens Broadband Radio Service, 6G wireless systems, and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) improvements.

NTIA will post a detailed agenda on its website, http://www.ntia.gov/category/csmac, prior to the meeting.