2021 – Page 10 – Next Century Cities

NEXT CENTURY CITIES TO TESTIFY ON BROADBAND EQUITY BEFORE THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE

By Brittany-Rae Gregory, NCC News, News, Press Releases / nextcentury

You can find a pdf of the press release here. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Brittany-Rae Gregory brittany-rae@nextcenturycities.org Washington, D.C. (May 5, 2021) – On Thursday, May 6, 2021, Next Century Cities’ Executive Director, Francella Ochillo, will testify before the United States House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Science and Technology in […]

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Where Are They Now: Keene, New Hampshire

Blog Entry, By Ryan Johnston, Local Policy, News, Pole Attachments, Spotlight City, State Policy / nextcentury

When people think of New Hampshire, they often think of the first state in the presidential primary cycle. What they don’t think about is how the state is the 23rd most connected state in the country. For some communities, this means that access to a robust broadband connection is well within reach. Others, however, may

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Connecting Rhode Island Means Overcoming Inaccurate Data, Leveraging Public Housing Partnerships to Reach Low-Income Residents

Blog Entry, By Corian Zacher, Federal Policy, News, Spotlight City, State Policy / nextcentury

In March 2021, an anonymous Newport resident with a stable internet connection described Rhode Island’s digital divide as a major issue. In the author’s words, I see the effects of Newport’s digital divide every day in my work since the inequity especially affects low-income, Black, Indigenous, people of color, and seniors in Newport. Those in

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Bristol’s “All Heart” Attitude is Closing the Digital Divide Across Connecticut

Blog Entry, By Lukas Pietrzak, Local Policy, News, Spotlight City, State Policy / nextcentury

Taking its place as the southern boundary of New England, Connecticut is home to Yale University, beautiful towns, and the Connecticut River, the state’s namesake. Originally from the Mohegan-Pequot word “Quononoquett” meaning “long tidal river,” the Algonquian people who originally inhabited Connecticut knew the river’s power and importance, something that remains true today. Nutmeggers, as

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Leverett, Massachusetts: A Case Study in Future Proofing

Blog Entry, By Ryan Johnston, Federal Policy, Local Policy, News, Spotlight City, State Policy / nextcentury

The lack of broadband Internet access caused residents across the nation to struggle with telework, distance learning, and community development long before the COVID-19 pandemic forced our lives online. The residents in Leverett, Massachusetts, are all too familiar with those challenges. As Robert Brooks, one of three members of the Leverett MLP Board, explained “we

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Innovative Intercity Collaborations Foster Improved Connectivity in Vermont

Blog Entry, By Corian Zacher, News, Spotlight City, State Policy / nextcentury

Vermont is well known for its rich mountains and lush forests, but its landscape and century-old bridges might not suggest an innovative and unique approach to expanding broadband access. Unlike many municipal broadband models displayed across the country, which often begin with a single city or county developing a network that later expands outward, Vermont

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America’s Most Rural State: Connecting Communities Across Maine

Blog Entry, By Lukas Pietrzak, News, Spotlight City / nextcentury

Nestled in the northeastern corner of the country, Maine is home to picturesque lighthouses and vibrant communities. Maine also faces a unique challenge to closing the digital divide and battling the COVID-19 pandemic: it is the least densely populated state in New England. From Portland to Islesboro, residents have worked together to find ways to

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Supporting Low-Income Access and Adoption in New York Will Have a Compound Effect In The Communities They Call Home

Blog Entry, By Francella Ochillo, News / nextcentury

On April 16, 2021, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation establishing the first-in-the-nation requirement for Internet Service Providers (“ISPs”) in New York to offer affordable Internet options for qualifying low-income families. While many ISPs have voluntarily developed their own discounted service programs, some created in direct response to the pandemic, this legislation makes it mandatory for

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The Internet of Things is helping communities combat climate change. Success depends on ubiquitous broadband connectivity.

Blog Entry, By Ryan Johnston, News / nextcentury

Broadband impacts every facet of our lives. We use it to telework, distance learn, stay connected to friends and family, and receive critical information from across the globe. It also plays an important role in how we combat climate change. Local officials are using high-speed connectivity to implement programs that help reduce waste and energy

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NCC Submits Comments Emphasizing That As Long As Millions of Americans Do Not Have Reliable Broadband, Lifeline Voice Services Are Indispensable

Blog Entry, By Ryan Johnston, Federal Policy, Lifeline, News / nextcentury

In 2016, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) directed the Wireline Competition Bureau to submit a State of the Lifeline Marketplace Report by June 30, 2021. This report is intended to provide meaningful insight on how the FCC should continue to administer the Lifeline program. The FCC’s findings will inform decisions to make modernizing changes to

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