Next Century Cities and Public Interest Allies Meet with FCC and USAC to Escalate Emergency Broadband Benefit Challenges
Since enrollment for the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (“EBBP”) began in May 2021, 2.3 million people have signed up to receive assistance with their broadband bill. However, eligible participants have faced significant challenges to enrollment such as the...
NCC Emphasizes the Economic Impact of the Digital Divide and Regional Broadband Solutions
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization that serves economic development officers nationwide. Its 2021 Future Economic Forum conference focused on fostering regional innovation, economic...
NCC Joins NDIA’s Effort to Educate Digital Inclusion Practitioners on Federal Broadband Policy
Due to the COVID pandemic, the National Digital Inclusion Alliance’s (“NDIA”) annual conference had a different look and feel this year. It is traditionally a production fueled by volunteers where digital inclusion practitioners and other stakeholders gather in...
NCC Joins Letter Encouraging Governor Newsom to Support Local Governments in $7 Billion Broadband Infrastructure Proposal
On May 18th, NCC joined allied organizations in a letter to the California State Assembly Committee on Budget, supporting Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposal to invest $7 billion in broadband infrastructure for a publicly-owned open access middle mile fiber network....
NCC Applauds State Digital Inclusion Efforts in New Mexico and Urges Local Officials to Share Best Practices
On May 19, 2020, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Federal Reserve Banks of Dallas and Kansas City, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency co-hosted a webinar, “Collaborating for Digital Inclusion Success in New Mexico.” Next Century Cities’...
State and Local Officials Agree: Creation of a State Broadband Office Will Help Increase Connectivity in Maryland
States play a critical role in bolstering local efforts to expand affordable and reliable broadband. All 50 states have taken steps to respond to increased demand and have prioritized expanding access. As of 2018, 25 states had already explored the utility of...
Transforming Challenges into Lasting Connectivity Solutions in West Virginia
In 2017, the West Virginia legislature created the West Virginia Broadband Enhancement Council within the West Virginia Department of Commerce. The Council has since released its Broadband Strategic Plan for 2020-2025 and a companion Broadband Development Guide, which...
Power Through Broadband Partnerships Across Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia is home to some of the greatest geographic and economic diversity in the country. From the nation’s capital to the Chesapeake Bay and the Appalachian Plateau, Virginia can feel like a different state at all four corners. Despite this...
From Memphis to the Appalachian Mountains: Varying Connectivity Challenges Across Tennessee
To appreciate challenges associated with closing the digital divide, readers need only to turn their attention to Tennessee. Across the state, local leaders, advocates, and Internet service providers have been working for years to plan and implement broadband...
E2D Is Promoting Social Justice by Expanding Computer Access and Literacy in North Carolina
Since 2013, E2D (“Eliminate the Digital Divide”) has worked to refurbish devices, promote digital literacy, and work toward the goal of ensuring that everyone in Charlotte, North Carolina, has equitable access to the digital tools and training they need to succeed in...
State Broadband Maps Have Helped Shed Light on the Digital Divide in Georgia
It’s no mystery that the quality of the Federal Communications Commission’s (“FCC”) mapping data leaves something to be desired. The FCC’s 14th Broadband Deployment Report estimated that 96% of Americans have access to broadband. However, organizations such as...
Treasury Department Releases Rules That May Lead to More Confusion Than Connectivity
The State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (“SLFRF”) is a $350 billion emergency fund to be used by eligible state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments to support the populations hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. On May 10, 2021, the U.S. Department of the...
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