Apr 15, 2021 | Blog Entry, By Ryan Johnston, Federal Policy, News
President Biden’s recent comment that “broadband is infrastructure” highlights a new federal commitment to treating broadband Internet service in the same way as water or electricity – as a necessity. In many disconnected communities across the nation, broadband...
Apr 13, 2021 | Blog Entry, By NCC Staff, News
The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is a nonpartisan membership organization, think tank, and publisher that provides resources for government officials, executives, journalists, educators, and community leaders. On April 8, 2021, it hosted a webinar to address a...
Apr 7, 2021 | Blog Entry, By Ryan Johnston, Federal Policy, News
In September, 2020 Verizon announced that it intended to acquire TracFone. Currently, TracFone is the largest prepaid wireless provider in the United States with around 21 Million customers. It is also one of the largest Lifeline providers in the country, accounting...
Apr 7, 2021 | Blog Entry, By NCC Staff, COVID-19, Federal Policy, News
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 provided $3.2 billion to create the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (“EBB”). This program provides eligible households a $50 benefit ($75 on tribal lands) to purchase a broadband internet subscription. On February 25,...
Apr 5, 2021 | Blog Entry, By Corian Zacher, By Ryan Johnston, COVID-19, Federal Policy, News
Through American Rescue Plan, Congress appropriated $7 billion for the Emergency Connectivity Fund for schools and libraries. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the agency tasked with developing rules for distributing the funds, sought public comment on its...
Apr 2, 2021 | Blog Entry, By NCC Staff, Federal Policy, NCC News, News
On March 31, 2021, NCC hosted a member briefing to discuss the Emergency Broadband Benefit (“EBB”) and upcoming funding opportunities for communities. NCC Highlights. Lukas Pietrzak summarized NCC’s recent publications: Next Century Cities March 2021 Newsletter...
Mar 31, 2021 | Blog Entry, By Corian Zacher, News
As an unfunded initiative, the Hawaii Broadband Initiative stopped and started numerous times since its inception twelve years ago. Burt Lum started in his role as Strategic Officer in 2018, and hopes to implement lasting change. When Lum joined the Hawaii Broadband...
Mar 30, 2021 | Blog Entry, By Medvis Jackson, COVID-19, News
In 2021, the nation’s digital divide presents itself as a serious obstacle to public health and wellness. In order to ensure an effective COVID-19 vaccination roll out and the continuity of routine medical care, local governments must leverage existing federal...
Mar 30, 2021 | Blog Entry, By Ryan Johnston, News
About 1,100 miles Southeast of Florida and roughly 40 miles east of Puerto Rico, our fellow Americans live on a cluster of three main islands. The U.S. Virgin Islands – made up of Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas – is also surrounded by 50 minor islands. In...
Mar 30, 2021 | Blog Entry, By Francella Ochillo, News
If you drift off of Interstate 45 in East Texas, you’ll find a region of natural resources, rich with national forests, picturesque landscapes, clean air, and freshwater. Communities are linked by a partnership in the Deep East Texas Council of Governments (DETCOG) as...
Mar 30, 2021 | Blog Entry, By Lukas Pietrzak, News
Almost 7,000 miles from the nation’s capital is a community of five islands and two coral atolls with a rich Polynesian history. American Samoa, the United States’ southernmost territory, is spread across approximately 76 square land miles and is home to approximately...
Mar 30, 2021 | Blog Entry, By Francella Ochillo, News
Approximately 2.8 million Americans call Puerto Rico home. Known for its colorful architecture, cobblestone streets, and rich culture, this U.S. territory is also known for a stubborn digital divide. Puerto Ricans struggled with reliable connectivity...
