Statement from Connected Nation Chairman & CEO Thomas W. Ferree applauding the designation of Jessica Rosenworcel as Acting Chair of the FCC

Washington, DC. (January 21, 2021) – Thomas W. Ferree, Chairman & CEO of Connected Nation, released the following statement on the designation of Jessica Rosenworcel as Acting Chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC): “We applaud President Biden’s designation of Jessica Rosenworcel as Acting Chair of the FCC. As a commissioner at the agency, she has been a tireless champion …

2021 E-rate filing window announced, more than $4 billion available to support, improve school and library connectivity

Connect K-12 site offers free and transparent pricing, bandwidth data for school district and state leaders looking to maximize E-rate funding Washington, DC. (January 6, 2021) – Soon, school districts across the country can once again apply for federal E-rate funding to support and improve internet connectivity and classroom Wi-Fi.  The Universal Service Administration Company (USAC), which administers the program …

SUCCESSFUL RURAL DIGITAL OPPORTUNITY FUND AUCTION TO EXPAND BROADBAND TO OVER 10 MILLION RURAL AMERICANS

Phase I Auction Allocates $9.2 Billion to Close the Digital Divide in 49 States and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands The following was a press release issued by the FCC on December 7, 2020 EDITOR’S NOTE: These pdf’s published by the FCC include a list of winning bids. This is the winning bidder summary and this is the …

Connected Nation Issues Statement on the Resignation of FCC Chairman Ajit Pai

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (December 2, 2020) – Connected Nation Chairman and CEO, Tom Ferree, issued the following statement regarding Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai’s announcement that he will be leaving the agency on January 20, 2021. “On behalf of Connected Nation, I would like to recognize and applaud Chairman Pai for his distinguished years of public service with …

Connected Nation, Funds For Learning Launch “Connect K-12” to Help State, District Leaders Improve School Connectivity

Website, report provide key insights on school internet access across the U.S. Bowling Green, Ky. (November 19, 2020)–Nonprofit Connected Nation (CN) announced this morning the launch of Connect K-12, a free website that provides internet speed and pricing transparency information to help schools identify broadband solutions and negotiate better deals for services—with the objective of helping schools achieve the Federal …

Policy Brief: FCC Tackles 5G Funding & TV White Spaces

Just before the final votes were cast in the 2020 election, the FCC held its Open Meeting on October 27 with a full agenda, tackling some of Chairman Ajit Pai’s priority items. Two such items will mean significant upgrades to connectivity in rural America as commissioners on both sides of the political aisle are committed to expanding funding and opportunities …

FCC’s Connected Care Pilot Program Application Window To Open On November 6

The following is a press release issued by the FCC on November 5, 2020 Media Contact:Katie Gorscak, (202) 418-2156katie.gorscak@fcc.gov Public Notice Outlines Application Submission Process and Eligible Services WASHINGTON, November 5, 2020—The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today announced that the Connected Care Pilot Program application window will open on November 6 at 12:00 p.m. ET and will remain open for …

Policy Brief: FCC Announces Special E-rate Filing Window for School District Bandwidth Upgrades 

On September 16, acknowledging the disruptions caused by COVID-19 and the new reliance on remote learning by school districts, the FCC directed the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) to open a second E-rate filing window for Funding Year 2020 (FY2020). The window opened Monday, September 21 and will close on Friday, October 16 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. This new window …

POLICY BRIEF: Aligning the FCC’s Digital Opportunity Data Collection with the Broadband DATA Act

In July, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) voted to adopt a Second Report and Order and Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that sets in motion the rollout of Form 477 modernization and paves the way for better broadband mapping and data from the Commission. As reported in a previous Connected Nation Policy Brief, in 2019 the Commission approved a …

Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment to Convene August 3 Workshop Examining The Role of Libraries on Broadband Adoption and Literacy

The following is a press release issued by the FCC on June 30, 2020 This Public Notice announces that the Digital Empowerment and Inclusion Working Group of the Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment (ACDDE) and the Media Bureau will host a  virtual workshop to examine the role of U.S. libraries as community hubs to drive digital adoption and …