The following is a press release published by the USDA on January 27, 2020 WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2020 – Today, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue announced USDA will begin taking applications for the second round of $550 million in ReConnect Program loan and grant funding on January 31. These funds will enable the federal government to continue …
FCC Chairman Discusses Rural Digital Opportunity Fund with Rural Business Owners, Community Advocates, Internet Service Providers
“This is the biggest step the FCC has ever taken to close the Digital Divide” by Jessica Denson, Communications Director Marietta, OH (January 23, 2020) – The Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Ajit Pai, met yesterday with community advocates, business owners, educational leaders, internet service providers, and other local stakeholders in Ohio to discuss the importance of closing …
FCC Chairman Announces Plan to Launch $9 Billion 5G Fund for Rural America
The following is a press release issued by the FCC on December 4, 2019 5G Fund Would Replace Mobility Fund Phase II and Focus on Bringing the Most Advanced Wireless Services to Rural Areas WASHINGTON, December 4, 2019—Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai announced today that he intends to establish the 5G Fund, which would make up to $9 billion in …
New Tool Developed to Help Improve High-Speed Internet Access in Northeast Michigan
Otsego County, MI (October 29, 2019) – The Northeast Michigan Council of Governments (NEMCOG), in partnership with Connected Nation Michigan, just completed an important milestone in its efforts to improve broadband (high-speed internet) access across Northeast Michigan: a vertical asset inventory. “A major obstacle in the region to not only our local economy but also our quality of life is …
FCC Authorizes Nearly $62 Million in Funding for Rural Broadband
The following press release was issued on October 10, 2019 by the FCC on its website. WASHINGTON —The Federal Communications Commission today authorized over $61.8 million in funding over the next decade to expand broadband to nearly 22,000 unserved rural homes and businesses in 14 states, representing the sixth wave of support from last year’s successful Connect America Fund Phase II …
Connected Nation’s Director of Digital Inclusion Named to FCC Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment
Washington, DC (October 17, 2019) – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced in June that the Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment (ACDDE) would be re-chartered. For the second time, Heather Gate, Director of Digital Inclusion, Connected Nation, has just been named to serve on the committee. “I was happy to learn that FCC Chairman Ajit Pai decided to …
A Parched Country: Study Shows Digital Deserts Exist
by Jessica Denson, Communications Director Connected Nation Louisville, Ky. (September 18, 2019) – Take a close look at the map (figure 1) to your right. Everything in gray is an area without a single internet service provider (ISP)—these are what we refer to as “Digital Deserts.” Each gray area is filled with families, businesses, libraries and schools, and whole communities …
REPORT: All-fiber deployments to 90% of U.S. households achievable by 2029
The following was published in FierceTelecom on September 16, 2019 by Mike Robuck The Fiber Broadband Association released a study that said all-fiber deployments were on pace to hit about 50% of U.S. households by 2025. Furthermore, the study, which was done with consulting firm Cartesian, found that 90% of the U.S. households could have all-fiber networks by 2029 by …
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 …
Updated Data Shows Puerto Rico Businesses are Using Technology in New Ways After Hurricane Maria
San Juan, PR (September 12, 2019) – Monday, September 16 marks two years since Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico — claiming thousands of lives and destroying or damaging many of the U.S. territory’s homes and businesses. Since then, Puerto Rico business owners have been slowly rebuilding their businesses, and many are now opting to leverage the internet and its related …
