20 years of connecting the nation: a national conversation on the Digital Divide

Bowling Green, Ky. (September 21, 2021) – Connected Nation (CN) is marking 20 years of service in 2021 by hosting a one-of-a-kind, live event that will air nationally from three US cities on Wednesday, November 17 from 11am to 3pm (eastern). Registration for the live event is free at cn20.org. “We have been focused on closing the Digital Divide for …

What a Texas School District Can Teach the Nation About Connecting and Educating a Generation of Kids

“Internet access is no longer a luxury. It’s something that every kid should be provided with.”       By Jessica Denson, Communications DirectorConnected Nation Lockhart, TX (September 24, 2020) – Mark Estrada, superintendent of Lockhart Independent School District, says the first day of in-person classes went pretty well considering the COVID-19 pandemic — with about 45 percent of students inside the …

Legislating to Connect America: Improving the Nation’s Broadband Maps

“Extending the reach of rural broadband will help ensure that everyone can take part in a digital economy.” ~Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH) by Jessica Denson Director of Communications, Connected Nation Washington, D.C. (September 12, 2019) – What will it take to connect the 24 million Americans who still do not have access to high-speed internet (broadband)?  According to those who …

$4.9 billion: These states got the most of FCC’s funding for broadband expansion

by Jessica Denson, Director of Communications Connected Nation Louisville, Ky. (August 27, 2019) – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently authorized $4.9 billion over the next decade for “maintaining, improving, and expanding rural broadband.”  The funds are earmarked for expanding high-speed internet (broadband) in 39 states and American Samoa, including 44,243 locations on Tribal lands. The announcement was made Thursday, …

FCC Authorizes Second Wave of Funding for Rural Broadband From Connect America Fund Auction

The following press release was issued on the Federal Communications Commission’s website on June 10, 2019  Media Contact: Chelsea Fallon, (202) 418-7991 chelsea.fallon@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC AUTHORIZES SECOND WAVE OF FUNDING FOR RURAL BROADBAND FROM CONNECT AMERICA FUND AUCTION Another Round of Funding Starts This Month for Broadband Buildout in Rural Communities in 22 States — WASHINGTON, June 10, …

High-Speed Internet Access Critical for Students and Job Seekers

Published by Pilot-Tribune & Enterprise on May 30, 2019 The job market is rapidly changing, thanks to new and emerging technologies. As a result, job training has become highly specialized, even at the high school level. While young people living in urban and suburban communities often benefit from on-site access to the specialized education that they will need for future …

Cattaraugus County’s long push for high-speed Internet about to pay off

Published by Salamanca Press on May 20, 2019 By Rick Miller LITTLE VALLEY — The long push for expanded broadband Internet service in rural areas of Cattaraugus County should pay off over the next year or so. “It’s better than what I expected,” said Crystal Abers, director of the Cattaraugus County Department of Economic Development, Planning and Tourism. The entrance …

Representative Clyburn Forms Rural Broadband Task Force

Published by Multi Channel News on May 13, 2019 By John Eggerton  House Majority Whip Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) has launched the House [Democratic] Task Force on Rural Broadband to try and help close the rural digital divide and eliminate “digital deserts.” “High-speed internet is an essential service in America today—yet too many of our fellow citizens in rural communities …

Lawmakers look for ways to reduce barriers to rural broadband

Published by North Carolina Health News on May 1st, 2019 By Taylor Knopf Decades ago, companies and local governments worked to bring electric, water and sewer to the rural communities of North Carolina. Now those organizations want to work together to provide the same access to broadband, something that’s increasingly being seen as the  next “standard utility.” But getting high-speed …

SC students do homework in parking lots to get Wi-Fi. Clyburn wants Congress to help

Published by Greenville News on April 16th, 2019 COLUMBIA — U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn was meeting with farmers about disaster relief when one Chester County resident shared a story about a different kind of disaster unfolding in rural South Carolina. The man told the Columbia Democrat schoolchildren in his small town are driven to the library after hours so they …