Broadband News and Updates

Federal News

• NTIA: Digital Inclusion and K-12 Education: The Impact of COVID-19 on Students and Educators

  • NTIA Updates State Leaders on National Broadband Availability Map Progress

  • NTIA and USDA Hosted HBCU Broadband Funding Webinar Series

• EDA: Webinar material on strengthen connections between HBCUs and EDA’s ecosystem of programs and regional economic development partners

• FCC: WCB Extends COVID Related Lifeline Program Waivers through Feb. 2021

  • FCC Grants First Licenses in 2.5 GHz Rural Tribal Priority Window

  • FCC Modernizes 5.9 GHz Band to Improve Wi-Fi and Automotive Safety

  • 2019 Broadband Deployment Data Show Digital Divide Is Closing

  • FCC Connected Care Pilot Program Application Window Opened November 6

  • FCC Establishes a 5G Fund for Rural America

• USDA: USDA continues to make funding announcements for its ReConnect Program

  • USDA Forest Service Announces Key Changes to NEPA Procedures

  • Forest Service NEPA Procedures and Guidance

• Department of Energy: U.S. Department of Energy Provides $65 Million for ‘Connected Communities’ of Buildings Powered to Transform Electric System

State News

• States Tap Federal CARES Act to Expand Broadband

• Broadband Availability Report Finds Eastern States Have Most 100/25 Mbps Access

• Governor Strategies to Expand Affordable Broadband Access

• Colorado: Governor Polis Releases Broadband Initiatives Report

• Kansas: Size of Internet Providers Factors Into Kansas’ Rural Broadband Divide

• Hawaii: Dbedt News Release: Newly Released 2020 Hawaii Broadband Strategic Plan

• Illinois: Governor Pritzker Announces Commitment to Digital Equity with $750,000 Investment to Expand Access and Adoption of High-speed Internet

• Maine: Maine launches statewide internet speed test initiative

• Michigan: New Map Highlights Northern Michigan's Broadband 'Desert'

• Free Wi-Fi Added at 50 Public Sites

• Mississippi: Mississippi is one of the most under-connected states in America. Why is that?

• Ohio: Every Day, We're Falling Behind in Appalachian Ohio': Lack of Broadband Hurts Rural Areas

• South Carolina: South Carolina has Invested $50M in Broadband Expansion in Response to COVID-19

• Texas: Governor’s Council: How More Texans Could Have Broadband Access

• U.S. Virgin Islands: FCC Announces USF Support for High-Speed Broadband in US Virgin Island

• Wisconsin: WCA Report Finds Big Gaps in Broadband Coverage in Rural Areas

Digital Inclusion

• Pitt, CMU Partner with Nonprofits, School Districts to Provide Free Internet Access to City Households

• City of Charlotte Invests $3.25 Million to Close Digital Divide

• Growing Healthy Digital Equity Ecosystems During COVID-19 and Beyond

• FCC grants no-cost broadband spectrum licenses to 11 Arizona tribes

• Faster broadband coming to Montana tribes

Regional

• Smart Regions Innovation, Resilience & Recovery Workshop Webpage

• Smart Regions Virtual Workshop YouTube playlist

Local

• Federal, state dollars expand broadband access in rural Routt County, CO

• Rupert, ID DeMary Library uses grant to expand internet access

• Broadband Survey Maps Upstate New York Broadband Future

• Broadband team to look at online speeds

• South Bend's Former Innovation Chief Returns for 'Technified' Community Planning

• G20 Invites 2 US Cities To Adopt Global Policy Roadmap

HBCUs/TCUs

• NTUA expands broadband access for students, first responders using CARES Act funds

• UDC partners with Microsoft to provide EdTech

Public Safety/FirstNet

• Tribal Nations Respond to Coronavirus with Help from FirstNet

• In Rural Pennsylvania, FirstNet Plays Important Role in Pandemic Response

• Veteran Firefighter Pushing 'Ongoing Education' on FirstNet

• Samsung, AT&T Announce Rugged Smartphone, Tablet as FirstNet Ready

General News

• CARES Funding Vital for Quick Connectivity During Pandemic, Researchers Say

• Broadband Brings Varied Economic Impacts to Local Areas, States

• Commentary: Coronavirus Accelerated Funding for Broadband, Now Partnerships Need to Catch Up

NTIA Events

BroadbandUSA Practical Broadband Conversations Webinar Series
There will be no webinar in December or January. The BroadbandUSA Practical Broadband Conversations Webinar Series will return in February.

Visit our Webinar Archives for past presentations, transcripts and audio recordings.

Contact Us:If you are interested in receiving technical assistance, please email broadbandusa@ntia.gov or call 202-482-2048. For more information, visit our website at broadbandusa.ntia.doc.gov.