Contributed Article The ACP is expiring at the end of April. The final week is here. By:  Valerie M. Sargent, Broadband Communities In February we let you know the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) – a federal program offering eligible households a monthly internet bill discount and a one-time discount off purchase of a desktop computer, laptop, or tablet – would be running out of funds in April. We urged you to contact your Congressional representatives in our article titled “ACP funding is running out. The time to act is now.” This is impacting people at a very real level. Acco ..read more

News The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has voted to classify broadband services as a Title II telecommunications service, restoring net neutrality. By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities A long-anticipated vote to restore net neutrality has forbidden internet service providers (ISPs) from blocking, throttling, or engaging in paid prioritization of lawful content. Both the White House and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) supported the FCC’s push to restore net neutrality, which approved at their April 25 meeting. The vote reclassified broadba ..read more

News A public-private partnership in Arizona has celebrated breaking ground on a 100-mile open access dark fiber network that will expand connectivity in one of the most rural corners of the state. By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities A new network under construction in Navajo County, Arizona will provide broadband capacity to support telehealth services, educational demands, and municipal needs, according to the company spearheading the project. eX² Technology, a Vivacity company, announced the network’s groundbreaking this week, along with the news that they’ve agreed to maintain the ..read more

Viewpoints Sponsored Content With rising interest rates and the increased cost of homeownership, multifamily communities have become the fastest-growing housing segment in the U.S. Over 44 million people in the country are living in multi-dwelling units (MDUs) and represent nearly one-third of all existing housing. While this housing segment is rapidly growing, residents are becoming more discerning—and property and building owners have to compete more and more to stand out. What can differentiate a property is a turnkey experience. Nearly 75 percent of residents prefer having their internet a ..read more

Contributed Article By: Deborah Kish, Vice President of Workforce Development and Research, Fiber Broadband Association What technology can support decades of speed and capacity increases with zero upgrades to the outdoor infrastructure? The answer is fiber broadband. Wireless, DOCSIS, and DSL—oh my! These communications technologies have required continuous outdoor communications infrastructure upgrades to increase both speed and capacity as the demands for a reliable connection increase. Meanwhile, recent research conducted by the Fiber Broadband Association’s Technology Committee explored t ..read more

News Despite the looming end of the nation’s largest broadband subsidy, the nation’s largest private broadband provider is doubling down on a commitment to low-income households. By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities Cox Communications will continue their commitment to low-cost internet, even after the end of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), according to a recent announcement from the largest private broadband company in the country. In the past weeks, representatives at Cox have been reaching out to customers impacted by the loss of the ACP to make sure they understand option ..read more

News According to a Missouri Congressman, Spectrum’s latest expansion project will help close digital gaps in the state. By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities Construction on a network that will offer more than 400 locations access to high-speed fiber optic broadband in rural Pettis County, Missouri is underway. The project, announced by Spectrum this week, will utilize some of the $1.2 billion won by Spectrum in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) auction. Spectrum, which is a suite of communications services offered by Charter Communicat ..read more

News Nearly 5,000 homes and businesses in rural Gates County, North Carolina will now have access to Fybe’s fiber internet services. By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities Fybe, an internet service provider (ISP) run by a subsidiary of Roanoke Cooperative, has continued progress in North Carolina with their most recent network completion in Gates County. The expansion was completed thanks to a partnership between Fybe and Gates County, the ISP’s April 23 announcement stated. “Fybe has assisted Gates County in making impressive advancements as we have moved from a few households with limi ..read more

News Grain Management has agreed to acquire a majority interest in 123Net, a Michigan-based internet service provider (ISP). By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities With more than 3,100 miles of fiber routes, and the ninth busiest internet exchange in North America, 123Net’s network assets weren’t the only highlights that stood out to Grain Management. In an April 22 announcement, Grain announced their intent to acquire a majority interest in Southfield-based 123NET. Grain’s release described 123NET as a company that has been on the forefront of connectivity in Michigan. “We think very hi ..read more

News Over 100,000 Pennsylvanians are set to be connected by dozens of broadband projects across more than 40 counties after the state announced the release of more than $200 million in federal funding for high-speed internet. By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities More than $204 million in public funds will be matched by over $200 million from private sources to fund broadband expansion projects in Pennsylvania, according to the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA), which announced the investment last week. The money will fund 53 broadband projects in 42 counties, connecti ..read more