By Ryan Johnston It took over sixty years for the 1934 Telecommunications Act to be modernized. The 1996 legislative update expanded on the traditional notions of universal service, recognizing that telephone services for healthcare providers, schools, and libraries were as critical as reliable service for consumers. As a result, the Universal Service Fund (“USF”) was […]
By Francella Ochillo Invisible lines between advocates and scholars often prevent academic research from informing broadband policymaking. Likewise, public interest advocates are eager to share research inquiries but lack academic partners. On June 20th and 21st, professors, nonprofits, government, and industry helped eliminate those barriers in a workshop called “Bridging the Divide: Answering Internet Policy
By Kate Rivera The Technology Learning Collaborative (TLC) drives the digital literacy, access, and inclusion conversations in Philadelphia by promoting professional collaboration, training, and networking among organizations and individuals. TLC has operated as a community-based digital equity coalition since its founding in 2012, an outgrowth of the city-wide collaboration that established a network of 77
By Brian Donoghue & Ryan Johnston In an era defined by technological advancements and the relentless push toward digitization, Pennsylvania, known for its rich history, landscapes, and dynamic industries, took a critical step forward. On July 13, 2023, the state hosted an event titled “Internet for All: Connecting the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.” This convening was
By Stacey Baxter It is widely known that community anchor institutions, including schools and libraries, provide essential broadband services for residents who lack reliable access at home. They are indispensable resources for providing Internet access in the same way that Core Service Agencies (CSA) connect residents to resources for health and wellness. Although both target
By Corian Zacher Image Credit: Government Accountability Office In May 2022, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) revealed that the federal government has over 100 broadband programs spanning deployment, planning, affordability, device access, digital skills, and more, administered by 15 agencies. Despite robust federal funding aimed at bridging the digital divide, including $42.45 billion through the
Absent Comprehensive Federal Broadband Policy, States Fill Important Gaps Read More »
By Ryan Johnston States are required to submit a series of documents throughout the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (“BEAD”) program process, which includes a 5-Year Action plan, the state’s initial proposal, and a final proposal. Each comes with its own deadline. While some dates are set by actions taken by the National Telecommunications and
Are You Wondering When Your State Has to Submit Its BEAD Proposals? Read More »
With East Baltimore Development Inc.’s CEO Cheryl Washington The East Baltimore Development, Inc. (EBDI), a 501(c)(3) organization, was established to revitalize, re-energize, and rebuild an 88-acre area adjacent to the Johns Hopkins medical campus in East Baltimore. It partnered with Microsoft Airband to explore the digital equity needs of residents in and around EBDI’s footprint,
Connecting East Baltimore Read More »
By Ryan Johnston The six gigahertz (“6 GHz”) spectrum band is perfectly suited for Wi-Fi technologies and the other low-power indoor connected devices that households use everyday. Currently, the Federal Communications Commission (“Commission”) is considering authorizing two types of devices for use in this band. Both Very Low Power and Low Power Indoor Only devices
Next Century Cities Joins Allies Urging the FCC to Prepare the 6 GHz Band for Wi-Fi Use Read More »
Next Century Cities’ first Broadband Communicators Summer Camp was held on July 18, 2023, in Washington, DC. The event brought together elected and appointed officials, as well as public servants, broadband advocates, and academics from Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and other states. Each joined in hopes of upskilling their communications skills and
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