Leaders in Broadband Mapping: A Discussion with the Office of Congressman Robert Latta
In recent years, there has been an increasing amount of bipartisan consensus that broadband is a necessity that households cannot afford to go without. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have come together to agree that access is a required for meaningful...
Finding and Eliminating the Digital Red Line
The digital divide has been present since the nationwide rollout of consumer Internet plans in the 1990s, but certain communities entered the Internet age in a position that would disadvantage them for years to come. These communities have fallen victim to a...
The Work is Far From Over: Updates on Local Broadband Data Collection Initiatives
In May 2021, Next Century Cities released a report, Broadband Mapping Across the U.S.: Local, State, and Federal Methods & Contradictions, which discusses broadband mapping initiatives across the country. Since the report’s release, several more communities...
NCC Moderates a Discussion on how HBCU Partnerships Could Improve Connectivity for Students, Administrators, and the Communities That They Serve
On June 16, 2021, Next Century Cities’ Communications Director Brittany-Rae Gregory moderated a panel discussion on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. The event was part of the annual Diversity in...
Next Century Cities’ Members Oppose Proposals to Prohibit Municipal Broadband Options in Ohio
State Lawmakers Proposed New Prohibitions on Municipal Networks On June 9, 2021, the Ohio Senate Finance Committee and Senate approved amendments to the state’s annual appropriations legislation which could cut municipalities off from federal funding...
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...
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