Recapping Black History Month

Bowling Green, KY. (February 27, 2019) – As Black History Month comes to a close, Connected Nation wants to emphasize the hard work African Americans have carried out to help advance technology. African Americans have done and continue to do incredible things in technology – including working to close the Digital Divide for communities of color. Here are just a few examples: …

Only 58% of Rural Households Have Broadband Access Despite Policies Impacting Viability of Agtech Products

The following was published by AgFunder News on February 27, 2019 by Lauren Manning  While broadband offers connectivity for rural dwellers in their homes, it may not bridge the technology divide between tech-hungry farmers and their inability to send or receive data from the most remote acres of their operations. Only 58% of households in rural American communities have broadband access …

Rural Broadband Funding Could Connect More Ohio Valley Communities To High-Speed Internet

Published by Morehead State Public Radio on February 27, 2019  by Liam Niemeyer  Head to the original posting to hear the audio. Vivian Livingood is the mayor of Gilbert, a southern West Virginia  town of under 500 people that has struggled for years without reliable internet. Livingood said that hampers Gilbert’s tourism, businesses and schools. “We get kicked off the …

Rural Broadband Funding Could Connect More Ohio Valley Communities To High-Speed Internet

Published by Morehead State Public Radio on February 27, 2019  by Liam Niemeyer  Head to the original posting to hear the audio. Vivian Livingood is the mayor of Gilbert, a southern West Virginia  town of under 500 people that has struggled for years without reliable internet. Livingood said that hampers Gilbert’s tourism, businesses and schools. “We get kicked off the …

FCC Offers More Funds for Faster High-Speed Broadband in Rural America

The following is a press release from the Federal Communications Commission It was issued on February 25, 2019 WASHINGTON, February 25, 2019—The Federal Communications Commission today offered an additional $67 million in annual support to certain rural broadband providers that could bring improved service to nearly 110,000 homes and businesses in rural communities across 43 states.  Carriers that accept the …

Third Frontier Grants $900K to Connect Ohio to Update State Broadband Map

Published by Columbus Business First on February 21, 2019  by Carrie Ghose  Columbus, OH. (February 21, 2019) – Ohio Third Frontier has granted $905,000 to a technology nonprofit to resume its detailed mapping of statewide broadband internet access. Connect Ohio Initiative LLC, a chapter of Connected Nation, has not been able to update its maps since 2017 when the last …

Internet Access Still Lacking

Published by the Star Beacon on February 18, 2019  by Jonn Wysochansk  Ashtabula, OH. – Officials are continuing to study ways to provide more and better broadband internet access to county residents, many of whom may live in areas with slow service and few providers. About 1.3 percent of consumers in the county live in areas with zero residential broadband …

Moving the Needle: Closing the Internet Access Gap Among African Americans

(February 19, 2019) – Our credo affirms that everyone belongs in a Connected Nation. As we commemorate Black History Month, we can see where strides have been made in this effort, even as more improvements are needed. At a recent forum held by the Multicultural Media Caucus and Nielsen, participants noted that “African Americans are entering a technology-driven marketplace with …

Black History Maker in Technology: James Edward West

(February 14, 2019) – If you’ve recently made a call on your cell phone or listened to a great song, you should probably thank James Edward West. He developed the foil-electret microphone in 1962. It’s now used in almost all current microphones, including those found in most cell phones. According to The HistoryMakers* website, West was born in 1931 in …

Dept. of Interior Launches New Effort to Facilitate Broadband Development in Rural America

The following is a press release published by the Department of the Interior (DOI) on February 13, 2019 Contact: Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov WASHINGTON –In response to President Trump’s strategy to enhance broadband access in rural America, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) launched a new effort today designed to increase broadband internet access on federally-managed lands. The report and accompanying website provide information …