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 …

POLICY BRIEF: FCC Adopts Final Rules for the Emergency Connectivity Fund

Washington, DC (May 14, 2021) – In response to the at-home connectivity inequities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unanimously adopted rules for the distribution of the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) on May 10. In accordance with the rules, the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) will administrate the ECF Program separately from the E-rate program, yet …

Connected Nation applauds Emergency Broadband Benefit Program as it officially opens to US families, individuals

The FCC-administered program provides discounts on internet service and related equipment to eligible households Bowling Green, Ky. (May 12, 2021) – Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) officially opened enrollment for the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB Program) to qualifying applicants. “Millions of Americans are still struggling with everything from remote work to distance learning to telehealth simply because they …

Summit offers new insights about the future of telehealth, rural broadband in America

“This is the biggest opportunity to expand access to the internet since the internet was invented.” Virtual event (May 5, 2021) – Experts and industry insiders recently came together to discuss the ways the coronavirus pandemic is impacting the future of telehealth—and how it’s highlighted the need to expand and improve rural broadband. “Those companies that didn’t necessarily see themselves …