POLICY BRIEF: FCC Releases Report & Order on Broadband Data Collection 

Washington, D.C. (July 18, 2019) –  On July 11, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) circulated a highly anticipated Report and Order and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the topic of broadband data collection and mapping, which will be considered for adoption at the FCC’s August 1st Open Meeting. The Report and Order (Order) establishes the “Digital Opportunity Data …

Grassley, Ernst Press FCC For Accurate Broadband Maps

The following release was issues by Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst on July 8, 2019  Editor’s Note: Connected Nation agrees with the Senators. The nonprofit has been and will continue to advocate for more granular broadband data so we can more effectively identify unserved and underserved communities. WASHINGTON – Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) today sent …

Mapping Issues Cloud Broadband Initiatives

The following piece was published in the HudsonValley360 by Melanie Lekocevic  Broadband is considered a vital service in today’s economy, but for many rural communities, it’s an inaccessible one. U.S. Rep. Antonio Delgado, D-19, has secured a measure in appropriations legislation in Congress to address “deeply flawed broadband mapping practices.” Mapping problems occur when maps are used that indicate a …

CAPITO, KLOBUCHAR LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY PASSES SENATE

The following press release was issued on Sen. Shelley Moore Capito’s website on June 6, 2019  Update: As of June 10, 2019, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.  Click here to the follow the latest on this bill. Bipartisan bill would call for a study of the effects of broadband deployment, adoption on the U.S. …

The UN wants to connect every adult in the world by 2030

The following was published in c|net on June 10, 2019  by Dhara Singh  Half the world still doesn’t have access to the internet, says UN Secretary-General António Guterres. At a time when countries are feuding over tariffs and trade agreements, Melinda Gates and Alibaba CEO Jack Ma feel optimistic that international cooperation will bridge the digital divide. The hope is that global collaboration …

Michigan Lawmakers Make Bipartisan Push to Improve Broadband Mapping

Bowling Green, KY. (May 17, 2019) – Yesterday, U.S. Representatives Tim Walberg (MI-07) and Jack Bergman (MI-01) led a bipartisan group of their colleagues in urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to improve the accuracy of broadband availability maps to better identify unserved and underserved communities in Michigan. Other state officials involved were Reps. Bill Huizenga (MI-02), John Moolenaar (MI-04), …

CAPITO, SCHATZ, MORAN, TESTER INTRODUCE BILL TO IMPROVE ACCURACY OF BROADBAND COVERAGE MAPS

The following press release was issued on Sen. Shelley Capito’s website on May 16, 2019  Bipartisan legislation would lead to more granular mapping, help close digital divide in rural America WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Brian Schatz (D- Hawai‘i), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and Jon Tester (D-Mont.)—all members of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee—today introduced the Broadband Data …

UPDATE: List of States Funding Rural Broadband Gets Even Longer

by Jessica Denson Director of Communications, Connected Nation Bowing Green, KY (May 14, 2019) – Earlier this month, Connected Nation took a closer look at the action states are taking to expand rural broadband access. Many state lawmakers are choosing to move forward now rather than wait for federal funding. Less than two weeks later, we can add nearly another …

Kansas Governor Announces Statewide Broadband Availability Map, Requests Public Input

The following is a press release from the Kansas Governor’s Office  (April 3, 2019) –  Governor Laura Kelly and Lt. Governor Lynn Rogers announced today the completion of the first iteration of a broadband availability map for the State of Kansas. Rogers announced the map at the Rural Opportunities Conference in Dodge City yesterday. The map was made possible through …