The following press release was issued on October 10, 2019 by the FCC on its website. WASHINGTON —The Federal Communications Commission today authorized over $61.8 million in funding over the next decade to expand broadband to nearly 22,000 unserved rural homes and businesses in 14 states, representing the sixth wave of support from last year’s successful Connect America Fund Phase II …
Connected Nation’s Director of Digital Inclusion Named to FCC Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment
Washington, DC (October 17, 2019) – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced in June that the Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment (ACDDE) would be re-chartered. For the second time, Heather Gate, Director of Digital Inclusion, Connected Nation, has just been named to serve on the committee. “I was happy to learn that FCC Chairman Ajit Pai decided to …
Increasing Broadband Investment in Low-Income Communities
An Update to the FCC Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee by Jessica Denson, Communications Director Connected Nation Washington, D.C. (September 26, 2019) – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is tackling some big issues surrounding high-speed internet access in the U.S. with the help of its Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee (BDAC). Those include disaster response and recovery, broadband infrastructure deployment, job skills …
Legislating to Connect America: Improving the Nation’s Broadband Maps
“Extending the reach of rural broadband will help ensure that everyone can take part in a digital economy.” ~Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH) by Jessica Denson Director of Communications, Connected Nation Washington, D.C. (September 12, 2019) – What will it take to connect the 24 million Americans who still do not have access to high-speed internet (broadband)? According to those who …
FCC Chairman Proposes $950M to Improve, Expand, Harden Broadband Networks in Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands
by Jessica Denson, Director of Communications Connected Nation Washington, D.C. (September 5, 2019) – When Hurricane Dorian roared to life in the Atlantic and started making its way toward the Bahamas and Florida, it smashed records. The Category 5 storm is among the “most powerful tropical systems ever observed in the Atlantic Ocean.” According to a report in the Washington …
$4.9 billion: These states got the most of the FCC’s funding for broadband expansion
by Jessica Denson, Director of Communications Connected Nation Louisville, Ky. (August 27, 2019) – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently authorized $4.9 billion over the next decade for “maintaining, improving, and expanding rural broadband.” The funds are earmarked for expanding high-speed internet (broadband) in 39 states and American Samoa, including 44,243 locations on Tribal lands. The announcement was made Thursday, …
Bipartisan Collaboration on American Broadband Buildout Act of 2019
The following was published in the Opelika Observer on July 10, 2019 Last week, U.S. Sens. Doug Jones (D-Ala.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) introduced the American Broadband Buildout Act of 2019 (ABBA), a bipartisan bill to ensure that rural Americans have access to broadband services at speeds they need to fully participate in modern society and economy by directing the …
POLICY BRIEF: FCC Proposes Cap to Universal Service Fund, Extends Comment Deadline
Washington, D.C. (July 10, 2019) – In May, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to seek comment on establishing a cap on the Universal Service Fund (USF) and, most recently, extended the deadline for comments on the proposal. This NPRM could impact the E-Rate and Rural Health Care funds and has raised some questions. There is some disagreement among …
Accelerating the Deployment of High-Speed Internet Access
FCC Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee Meeting Held Washington, D.C. (June 13, 2019) – The Federal Communications Commission is taking steps to accelerate the deployment of broadband to more communities. Today, the re-chartered Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee (BDAC) is meeting in Washington, D.C. Members of the committee include representatives from providers, nonprofits, and government associations. Connected Nation Chairman & CEO, Tom Ferree, …
FCC Authorizes Second Wave of Funding for Rural Broadband From Connect America Fund Auction
The following press release was issued on the Federal Communications Commission’s website on June 10, 2019 Media Contact: Chelsea Fallon, (202) 418-7991 chelsea.fallon@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC AUTHORIZES SECOND WAVE OF FUNDING FOR RURAL BROADBAND FROM CONNECT AMERICA FUND AUCTION Another Round of Funding Starts This Month for Broadband Buildout in Rural Communities in 22 States — WASHINGTON, June 10, …
