May 24, 2021 | Blog Entry, By NCC Staff, COVID-19, Digital Divide, Emergency Broadband Benefit, Federal Policy
Last week marked the beginning of enrollment for the Federal Communications Commission’s (“FCC”) Emergency Broadband Benefit. The program offers a monthly discount to offset the cost of broadband Internet subscriptions, helping those who are struggling with...
May 21, 2021 | Blog Entry, By Ryan Johnston, Federal Policy, Spectrum
Wireless internet access, cell phones, and thousands of other technologies rely on the availability of spectrum. The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) released an NPRM in January 2021 seeking comment on how to most effectively open up the 12 GHz spectrum band...
May 20, 2021 | Blog Entry, COVID-19, Digital Divide, Guest Blogger
By Haley Bailey | The digital divide has always been a huge issue, but the pandemic has managed to push it into the spotlight. For example, the International Telecommunication Union’s study, in collaboration with UNICEF, found that two-thirds of the world’s...
May 19, 2021 | Blog Entry, By Corian Zacher, Emergency Broadband Benefit, State Policy
On May 10, 2021, Next Century Cities’ Francella Ochillo, Ryan Johnston, and Corian Zacher met with California Public Utilities Commissioner Martha Guzman Aceves and members of her staff to discuss state promotion strategies for the Emergency Broadband Benefit (“EBB”)...
May 18, 2021 | Blog Entry, By Corian Zacher, Federal Policy, State Policy
Disparities between those who have reliable broadband access and those who do not have never been more apparent. The transition of countless services online has united people living in all corners of the country toward a common goal — ensuring ubiquitous broadband for...
May 17, 2021 | Blog Entry, Digital Divide
On the May 6th, 2021, episode of The Divide, Nicole Ferraro interviewed Next Century Cities Executive Director, Francella Ochillo. Acknowledging that the digital divide poses unique challenges in each community, Francella highlighted that there is a general consensus...
May 13, 2021 | Blog Entry, By Corian Zacher, Local Policy, Pole Attachments, State Policy
On April 28, 2021, the Schools, Health, and Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition hosted a webinar to discuss the ways that state and federal oversight of pole attachments impact broadband deployment. NCC’s Corian Zacher, Policy Counsel for State & Local...
May 12, 2021 | Blog Entry, By Corian Zacher, Federal Policy, Low-income
Teachers fill a variety of critical roles outside of traditional classroom education. Promoting wellness and child nutrition, ensuring that students are safe and cared for at home, and preparing children for emergencies and natural disasters are only a few examples of...
May 10, 2021 | Blog Entry, By NCC Staff, Federal Policy
On May 6, 2021, the Communications and Technology Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a virtual hearing to discuss “Broadband Equity: Addressing Disparities in Access and Affordability.” The hearing was called to examine persistent...
Apr 30, 2021 | Blog Entry, By Ryan Johnston, Local Policy, News, Pole Attachments, Spotlight City, State Policy
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...
Apr 30, 2021 | Blog Entry, By Corian Zacher, Federal Policy, News, Spotlight City, State Policy
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...
Apr 30, 2021 | Blog Entry, By Lukas Pietrzak, Local Policy, News, Spotlight City, State Policy
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...
