Washington, DC (October 20, 2021) – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) just announced that Heather Gate, Vice President of Digital Inclusion, Connected Nation, will serve as Chair of its Communications Equity and Diversity Council (CEDC). “Heather has been a tireless advocate for digital equity and inclusion across the country,” said Tom Ferree, Chairman & CEO, Connected Nation. “The pandemic revealed …
Reflections on Digital Inclusion Week 2021 by Connected Nation’s VP of Digital Inclusion
It’s ok to have a new normal! What a great week! This year marked the sixth year of celebrating National Digital Inclusion Week. In case you missed it go to #DIW2021 or #DIW21 on Twitter to see all the great organizations, communities and digital inclusion practitioners that are working to empower vulnerable communities and individuals. Digital Inclusion week marks an …
Panelists announced for national conversation on the Digital Divide, free event to broadcast live from 3 US cities
20 years | 3 US cities | 1-of-a-kind event Bowling Green, Ky. (October 7, 2021) – Connected Nation (CN) is marking 20 years of service in 2021 by hosting “A national conversation on the Digital Divide.” This one-of-a-kind, live event will take placeWednesday, November 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (eastern). Registration is free at cn20.org. Panelists will …
Refugio County’s focus will be on increased digital literacy skills
Refugio County, Texas (September 21, 2021) – Located in Southeast Texas, and only an hour from Corpus Christi, Refugio County is ready for a plan to expand their broadband access. After months of collecting data, Connected Nation Texas (CN Texas) presented a broadband executive summary and action plan developed for Refugio County. A broadband survey was conducted between January 2021 …
Small change, big impact: Connected Nation program helping communities expand internet access gets refresh
Connected Community Engagement Program rebrands to better reflect work to improve connectivity across the country Bowling Green, Kentucky (September 14, 2021) – A lot has changed in the last year but from change comes opportunity–for the Connected Community Engagement Program (Connected) that means rebranding to more accurately reflect how the program helps communities, counties, and states. Connected is a Connected …
It’s time for a full-color approach to solving the nation’s broadband problem
As the pandemic recedes, we’ve learned that universal access to the online world, through broadband service, is essential for participation in modern American life. The urgency to create full broadband coverage echoes past programs to develop nationwide networks for electricity, telephone, and interstate highways. Each of those ushered in major changes and improvements in communities across the country. Broadband is …
Tuscola County to benefit from $14.6M in federal funding toward the expansion of broadband access
Tuscola County, Michigan (July 26, 2021) – Connected Nation Michigan (CN Michigan) has been working with Tuscola County leaders to plan for and expand high-speed internet throughout the county. An action plan was developed following a county-wide broadband survey in which responses were gathered from 663 residents, 24 businesses and other local organizations. Surveys were completed between February 2021 and …
Huron County Broadband Committee releases survey findings and actions for improving internet access, speeds
More than 770 surveys completed across countyreflect the need for expanded broadband service Huron County, Michigan (June 23, 2021) – The Huron County Broadband Committee has released its key broadband survey findings and upcoming actions for improving broadband (high-speed internet) access and speeds across the county. The Committee, working in partnership with Connected Nation Michigan (CN Michigan), collected data from …
The Digital Equity Act is bipartisan, actionable, and can help close the Digital Divide for the most vulnerable Americans
Bowling Green, Ky. (June 15, 2021) – Connected Nation applauds the hard work of Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Rob Portman (R-OH), and Angus King (I-ME) to bring forth the Digital Equity Act which is squarely focused on expanding digital inclusion across the US. “Connected Nation is endorsing this Act because it seeks to help our nation’s most vulnerable populations finally …
From billions of dollars in new funding to mandatory minimum speeds, why NOW is an unprecedented time for broadband expansion in America
By Eric Frederick, Vice President, Community AffairsConnected Nation I recently looked up “how much is a billion?” It’s a difficult number to comprehend. The most common answer is that it’s a thousand million. Another answer is that a billion seconds is equivalent to 31 and a half years. It’s quite the sum. Now, try to imagine a billion times 365 …
