The following opinion piece as published in the Tennessean on August 22, 2019 by Matthew J. McClanahan, Guest columnist Rural broadband is critical to support the farmers and ranchers who grow our food, the long-term economic viability of rural communities and the overall quality of life for rural Americans The Ford Model A rambled, shuddered and lumbered its way down a dusty …
Mapping Rural America: A Look at Field Validation Work
(June 25, 2019) – Connected Nation (CN) is working across rural America to confirm broadband access and speeds, and more importantly, identifying where broadband service is lacking. While broadband maps can be developed from a variety of data sources, sometimes field validation and verification activities offer the most detailed and comprehensive view of available services. John Determan, a senior broadband …
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 …
Connected Texas Launches New Effort to Close the Digital Divide in the Lone Star State
Austin, TX (June 5, 2019) – Connected Texas is launching a more than two-year program to connect and support the 1.45 million rural Texans who do not have access to high-speed (broadband) internet. “Texas families, businesses, and communities are being left out of opportunities and lack access to resources that many others across the country enjoy,” said Wynn Rosser, Ph.D., …
Looking at digital literacy through different lenses: Access and adoption, design, and digital equity
Published by Generocity on May 31, 2019 By Zarl Tarazona When it comes to digital literacy, the issues of access, adoption, inclusion and equity need to be a part of the conversation. The digital divide — the gap between those who have access to technology and those who don’t — is often the hot topic within discussions about digital literacy. …
This is not a test: ACT Center’s research and data focused on closing the Digital Divide
by Jessica Denson Director of Communications, Connected Nation Iowa City, IA (May 28, 2019) – The Digital Divide is not just some line drawn on a map showing who has access to broadband (high-speed) internet and who does not. It’s a way to measure the deep rift that is leaving millions of Americans behind — including school-aged children. According to …
Thousands in Rural Michigan to Receive Broadband Access, Higher-Speed Internet
For Immediate Release Thursday May 2, 2019 Contact: James Hogge 231-640-9158 Washington – Congressman Jack Bergman issued the following release after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced the expansion of the universal services fund, which will provide high-speed broadband access to over 5,000 Michiganders in rural areas: “This announcement by the FCC further highlights the Trump Administration’s commitment to expanding …
The Digital Divide Knows No Borders
Lexington, Ky. (April 17, 2019) – What do you picture when you think of New Zealand? Perhaps you see a lush and green countryside? Or, unspoiled coastlines? Or, maybe you imagine waterfalls in valleys? All are true, but among those picturesque images is something often unnoticed—rural communities left without access to the same opportunities and resources many of us take …
Still Buffering: Rural Libraries Fill the Void for Residents Without Broadband
The below article was published by Tyler Morning Telegraph on March 31, 2019 by Erin Mansfield Editor’s Note This is part two of a five-part series about how a lack of connectivity affects East Texans. Part 1: East Texas lags the rest of the state in broadband Part 2: Rural libraries fill the broadband void Part 3: Some East Texans say …