Why the FCC’s new National Broadband Map is important to your community

Louisville, Ky. and Nashville, Tenn. (November 30, 2022) – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released the updated National Broadband Map on Friday, November 18. This map is critical for determining how much each state receives of federal funding for expanding broadband access to unserved and underserved communities. Tom Ferree, Chairman & CEO, Connected Nation, recently spoke with RFD-TV, a national …

Connected Nation CEO Tom Ferree responds to President Joe Biden’s first State of the Union Address

Washington, DC (March 1, 2022) – Tom Ferree, Chairman & CEO, Connected Nation, issued the following statement in response to President Joe Biden’s first State of the Union Address: “Tonight, President Biden outlined his administration’s ambitious goal to make broadband access available and affordable to every home in America.  For more than two decades, our organization has been singularly focused on …

How NTIA can best leverage its infrastructure bill programs to close the Digital Divide

Connected Nation makes recommendations to NTIA to maximize unprecedented federal investment in broadband expansion Washington, DC (February 9, 2022) – With the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)—also known as the “Infrastructure Bill”—last  November, Congress charged the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) with playing the leading role in closing America’s “Digital Divide” through partnerships with the …

Department of Commerce’s NTIA Publishes First ACCESS BROADBAND Report

The following press release was issued by the NTIA on Thursday, December 23 News Media Contact: NTIA, Office of Public Affairs, (202) 482-7002, press@ntia.gov WASHINGTON – The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) recently released the first ACCESS BROADBAND Report, which highlights the accomplishments of NTIA’s recently established Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth (OICG) over the past year. …

NTIA Awards Additional $1M in Grants to Tribal Groups Seeking to Expand Broadband

The following press release was issued by NTIA on Wednesday, December 22 News Media Contact: NTIA, Office of Public Affairs, (202) 482-7002, press@ntia.gov WASHINGTON – The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced today it has awarded two additional grants as part of the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program. These grants, totaling nearly $1 million, are being awarded to …

USDA to Make Up to $1.15 Billion Available to Help People Living in Rural Communities Access High-Speed Internet

The following press release was issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on October 22, 2021. Department Also Invests $50 Million to Improve Access to Telemedicine, Distance Learning for 7.6 Million People in Rural Areas GENESEO, Ill., Oct. 22, 2021 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a significant expansion of access to high-speed internet, health …

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 …

The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund: What’s up with the wait for Phase II?

Lansing, Michigan (September 24, 2021) – The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) provides a unique opportunity to expand access to fixed broadband and voice service to millions of unserved homes and small businesses in rural America. There’s one problem—a hold up when it comes to Phase II of the $20.4 billion program. “This comes up a lot when we’re talking …

20 years of connecting the nation: a national conversation on the Digital Divide

Bowling Green, Ky. (September 21, 2021) – Connected Nation (CN) is marking 20 years of service in 2021 by hosting a one-of-a-kind, live event that will air nationally from three US cities on Wednesday, November 17 from 11am to 3pm (eastern). Registration for the live event is free at cn20.org. “We have been focused on closing the Digital Divide for …