The following story was first published in STL News on August 16, 2019 Springfield, IL (STL.News) – With a historic $420 million investment in broadband infrastructure included in the Rebuild Illinois capital plan, Governor JB Pritzker launched a statewide strategic initiative to guide broadband expansion by naming 25 members to the Broadband Advisory Council. “Rebuild Illinois will improve our infrastructure at a historic …
FCC Revamps Telecomm Program for Rural Healthcare Providers
Published by Healthcare Dive on August 2, 2019 By Ron Shinkman Dive Brief: The Federal Communications Commission has introduced reforms to the Rural Health Care Program intended to make it easier for hospitals and other medical providers in remote areas to receive access to broadband and telecommunications services. The FCC simplified how RHC funding is distributed to favor providers if …
Virginia Congressman Advocates for Broadband Expansion
The following is a press release published on Congressman Rob Wittman’s website on July 29, 2019. You can read his full testimony or watch the video linked in release and embedded at the bottom of this story. WASHINGTON – Last week, Congressman Rob Wittman testified in front of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, advocating for expanding access to broadband – one …
Connected Nation Ohio Rebooted: The Next Phase in Connecting Ohioans to Broadband
Connected Nation Ohio Rebooted: The Next Phase in Connecting Ohioans to Broadband Columbus, OH (July 29, 2019) – Connected Nation Ohio (CN Ohio) is starting a new phase in its mapping, technical assistance, and analysis through funding from Third Frontier. Since 2008, CN Ohio, a local subsidiary of Connected Nation, has worked to raise awareness and identify ways to expand …
POLICY BRIEF: FCC Proposes Cap to Universal Service Fund, Extends Comment Deadline
Washington, D.C. (July 10, 2019) – In May, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to seek comment on establishing a cap on the Universal Service Fund (USF) and, most recently, extended the deadline for comments on the proposal. This NPRM could impact the E-Rate and Rural Health Care funds and has raised some questions. There is some disagreement among …
Farmers Will Benefit from Broadband
The following was published in Morning Ag Clips on July 10, 2019 It was submitted by the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Virginia agriculture could grow 18 percent if broadband is extended to underserved communities RICHMOND, Va. — A new national report found that Virginia agriculture could grow by 18 percent if broadband technology is extended to underserved communities. “In the …
American Broadband Buildout Act Would Dedicate $5 Billion to Rural Broadband
The following was published in the telecompetitor on July 1, 2019 by Joan Engebretson The American Broadband Buildout Act, introduced by Senators Susan M. Collins and Doug Jones, would make $5 billion available to help bring broadband to rural areas where the service is not currently available and to support digital literacy and public awareness campaigns. The funding would come …
InnovateOhio, ODOT Announce Steps to Expand Broadband Access
The following release was issued by the Ohio governor’s office FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, June 20, 2019 MEDIA CONTACTS: Brooke Ebersole: 614-995-1815 Erica Hawkins: 614-387-0834 (COLUMBUS, Ohio)—The DeWine-Husted Administration, through InnovateOhio, today announced the release of a Request for Information (RFI) in an exploratory effort to improve broadband access to people across the state. “Lack of access to high-speed internet can …
Don’t Fall Victim to Fake News
Lexington, Ky. (June 18, 2019) – The internet is a tremendous and powerful platform for researching, communicating, learning, and staying informed about news from near and afar. Whether we are checking for local stories or news from around the world, the internet has revolutionized the way we consume and share news with colleagues, friends, and family. Gone are the days …
Virginia takes a big step on rural broadband
Published by The Franklin News Post on June 12, 2019 Technology was supposed to bring about “the death of distance” and allow people to work anywhere they wanted to live. Instead, just the opposite has happened. A “great divergence” — as some economists call it —is piling jobs upon jobs in certain high-tech capitals while leaving rural communities behind. There …