Connected Nation adds telecom veteran in Education, Government and Healthcare as strategic advisor

Bowling Green, Ky. (October 11, 2022) – Connected Nation (CN) has added Dr. Pamela Lloyd to its senior executive team to provide insight and strategic counsel to the organization’s digital inclusion programming. “We are very excited to have Dr. Lloyd join our team during this extraordinary time in the company’s history,” said Tom Ferree, Chairman & CEO, CN. “Having known …

New data: Connect K-12 report shows 59% of U.S. school districts now meet FCC internet connectivity benchmark

27.6 million students attend schools that still lack adequate bandwidth to support digital learning in every classroom, every day Washington, D.C. (January 10, 2022) – Connected Nation’s “Connect K-12” program has released its report on U.S. school connectivity for E-rate Funding Year 2021, which includes findings on the nation’s progress toward meeting the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) bandwidth goal of …

Texas school district to host live, student-run panel discussion during national conversation on Digital Divide

Fort Bend ISD will be one of three live locations across the country Sugar Land, Texas (October 27, 2021) – Fort Bend Independent School District (ISD) will host expert panelists during a live, national event taking place on Wednesday, November 17. Connected Nation (CN) is producing the free event titled “20 years of connecting the nation: a national conversation on …

Texas Education Agency looking to secure multiple Internet Service Providers for Connect Texas Program

“This program could be a game-changer for Texas students.” Austin, Texas (April 13, 2021) – Connected Nation Texas (CN Texas) applauds the efforts of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to connect all Texas students in need. The Region 4 Education Service Center (ESC) just released an RFP on behalf of the Agency for TEA’s Connect Texas Program. “We are excited …

Building a bridge to broadband for K-12 students

“Closing the homework gap depends on good data. This program is the first step in that effort.” San Francisco, California (April 13, 2021) – Early in the pandemic, as teachers struggled to move all instruction online, school districts were scrambling to figure out just how many kids were not connected to broadband (high-speed internet) at home. That challenge led to …

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 …

Wham! Connected Nation’s greatest hits of 2020

By Jessica Denson, Communications DirectorConnected Nation Bowling Green, KY (December 14, 2020) – Every year, during the holidays, my friends circulate this ridiculous challenge — try not to be “Whammed!” Basically, the person who goes the longest without hearing the original version of “Last Christmas” by Wham! wins. We’re not the only ones. The challenge is so popular that it …

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: FCC Extends E-Rate Deadlines Due to COVID-19

Washington, DC (April 2, 2020) – Yesterday, the FCC voted to adopt an Order extending E-Rate Program deadlines in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on schools and libraries across the country. The FCC stated that “to provide relief to E-Rate program participants affected by this unprecedented national pandemic, we temporarily waive and extend several E-Rate filing and …

EducationSuperHighway Partners with Connected Nation to Carry Forward its Mission

Bowling Green, Ky. (January 14, 2020) – Connected Nation (CN) has been selected by EducationSuperHighway to carry forward its mission to ensure state and school district leaders have the information they need to improve school broadband (high-speed internet) connectivity. This will be made possible through a new tool—Connect K-12—that will equip them with key information and analytics needed to improve …