A year of living on the edge: looking over the precipice of the Digital Divide and seeing great change ahead

by Jessica Denson, Communications DirectorConnected Nation Louisville, Ky (December 13, 2022) – It’s been a year of “living on the edge” for millions of Americans trying to bridge the Digital Divide. If you saw the emails I receive weekly, sometimes daily, as the Communications Director for Connected Nation, from moms and dads, teachers, ranchers, rural residents, and others, you’d understand …

Why the FCC’s new National Broadband Map is important to your community

Louisville, Ky. and Nashville, Tenn. (November 30, 2022) – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released the updated National Broadband Map on Friday, November 18. This map is critical for determining how much each state receives of federal funding for expanding broadband access to unserved and underserved communities. Tom Ferree, Chairman & CEO, Connected Nation, recently spoke with RFD-TV, a national …

Connected Nation applauds launch of National Broadband Map as a first step toward pinpointing where broadband is lacking

Washington, DC  (November 18, 2022) – Tom Ferree, Chairman & CEO of Connected Nation (CN), issued the following statement regarding today’s launch of the new National Broadband Map by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC): “Today’s launch of the new National Broadband Map marks a significant leap forward in our nation’s efforts to close the Digital Divide once and for all. …

Connected Nation honored with national award for “A national conversation on the Digital Divide”

Bowling Green, Ky. (November 18, 2022) – Connected Nation (CN) won top honors this month in PR Daily’s Nonprofit Communications Awards for best virtual event.  The national nonprofit was recognized for producing a three-city, live event titled “20 years of connecting the nation: a national conversation on the Digital Divide” that aired across the country on November 17, 2021. “Our …

Connect K-12’s 2022 report shows 67% of U.S. school districts now meet FCC internet connectivity benchmark

Work to be done: 23.5 million students attend schools that still lack adequate bandwidth to support digital learning in every classroom, every day Washington, D.C. (November 16, 2022) – Connected Nation’s (CN) Connect K-12 Program has released its 2022 Report on School Connectivity in collaboration with Funds For Learning (FFL).  The annual report, now in its third iteration, includes findings …

FCC advisory committee adopts report on strategies for preventing digital discrimination by internet providers and recommendations for promoting digital equity

Washington, DC. (November 8, 2022) – The Communications Equity and Diversity Council (CEDC), a Federal Communication Commission (FCC) advisory committee, voted unanimously yesterday to adopt a report containing recommendations and best practices to prevent digital discrimination by internet service providers (ISPs) and promote digital equity.   The report provides recommendations to the FCC on public policies, programs, and other strategic initiatives …

Connected Nation adds telecom veteran in Education, Government and Healthcare as strategic advisor

Bowling Green, Ky. (October 11, 2022) – Connected Nation (CN) has added Dr. Pamela Lloyd to its senior executive team to provide insight and strategic counsel to the organization’s digital inclusion programming. “We are very excited to have Dr. Lloyd join our team during this extraordinary time in the company’s history,” said Tom Ferree, Chairman & CEO, CN. “Having known …

Billions in broadband funding: Who decides where it goes and why some states are preparing to challenge those decisions

Nashville, Tenn. (August 15, 2022) – Billions of dollars in funding for expanding access to broadband (high-speed internet) is now available to states. RFD-TV, a broadcast group that focuses on rural affairs issues across the country, asked Connected Nation (CN) to explain what state and community leaders need to know and do about accessing those funds to help unserved or …

FCC ANNOUNCES $77 MILLION IN EMERGENCY CONNECTIVITY FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES TO HELP CLOSE THE HOMEWORK GAP

The following press release was issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on July 27, 2022 Nearly 13 Million Students Benefitting from Program Providing Digital Services for Students in Communities Across the Country WASHINGTON, July 27, 2022—The Federal Communications Commission today announced it is committing over $77 million in two new funding rounds through the Emergency Connectivity Program, helping to …

Gov. Beshear: Historic $203 Million Investment Brings High-Speed Internet to More Than 34,000 Kentucky Households, Businesses

The following press release was issued by the Office of Governor Andy Beshear (D-KY) on June 20, 2022 Governor’s Better Internet program provides more than $89.1 million to expand high-speed internet in 35 counties FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 20, 2022) – As part of his Better Kentucky Plan, Gov. Andy Beshear today announced a historic investment of over $203 million to …