Cox Communications’ Post

During the recent National Association of Counties Annual Conference & Exposition, Cox Communications and Broadband Communities collaborated to address rural broadband expansion challenges with county officials. Key takeaways from the event include the vital role of broadband deployment in enhancing the economic vitality of counties. County officials expressed interest in partnering with organizations that prioritize affordability and digital literacy. Feedback from county officials resonated with a recent Cox survey, highlighting the positive impact of high-speed internet availability in previously unserved or underserved areas. Survey respondents noted that broadband access stimulates economic growth, reduces the education gap, and encourages younger generations to stay in their communities for enhanced learning and work opportunities. Moreover, 86% of consumers highlighted that access to broadband has significantly improved their lives. #BroadbandExpansion #DigitalEquity #RuralCommunities #EconomicDevelopment #HighSpeedInternet #DigitalLiteracy #RemoteLearning #CoxCommunications #BroadbandCommunities #NationalAssociationOfCounties #SurveyResults

Exciting news in broadband expansion! 🌐 Nebraska’s 3rd congressional district is set to receive nearly $31 million in public funding to connect over 3,000 unserved and underserved locations. 🚀 This initiative will bring high-speed internet access to approximately 1,640 unserved and 1,570 underserved locations by December 2025! At Direct Line Communications, we’re inspired by these efforts and remain committed to enhancing connectivity in underserved areas. Together, we can bridge the digital divide and ensure reliable internet access for all. 🌟 ⬇️ Learn more about this significant step towards digital inclusion in the article below. --- #DirectLineCommunications #Telecom #Telecommunications #BroadbandSolutions #TelecomInfrastructure #FiberOptics

Check out this insightful article on how local governments are creatively combining various funding sources to connect every part of rural America 🇺🇸 From navigating grant requirements to crafting strategic plans for sustainable broadband infrastructure, rural communities are demonstrating that with the right backing, digital equity is within reach. Discover how these areas are leading the charge toward a more connected future. https://hubs.li/Q02NH5Yb0 #BroadbandExpansion #DigitalEquity #RuralDevelopment #broadband

Digital inequity is especially apparent on tribal lands in California, with over a quarter of households lacking broadband service at 100 Mbps speeds. This affects access to education, healthcare, job opportunities, and emergency response services. Learn how the Michelson 20MM Foundation is expanding its Digital Equity in Tribal Communities project in 2024.

We created The Blandin Community Broadband Program in 2003 to boost rural leaders’ ability to pull together diverse action teams, collaboratively set a broadband-powered technology vision for their community, and have access to knowledge partners and resources to work toward that vision. With our leadership, today about 62% percent of rural Minnesota households have access to wired broadband internet, and nearly 95% have access to wireless broadband! This is significant, as historically rural communities across America have and continue to face disparities when it comes to broadband internet access. According to a 2020 report from the FCC, about 22 percent of Americans living in rural areas still don't have access to broadband internet. When looking at Americans living on tribal lands, the numbers are even worse. There is still much work to be done, even in Minnesota, as connectivity doesn't necessarily equate to internet speeds and performance required for standard online tasks. Learn more about the two decades of work we've put into reducing the broadband access gap in Minnesota here: https://bit.ly/468jqIf

When Wall Street jumps in making recommendations to make big buys in Comcast, ATT and Charter(Spectrum) on the basis of the lions share of BEAD monies being funneled to these institutions responsible for the Digital Divide in the first place, you know...HOUSTON, WE GOT A PROBLEM. L.A. County leaders funded by the state (LADEAL) are telling me laws/rules have made it very unlikely L.A. County will see a dime of the $1.83 billion CA is set time receive in BEAD dollars. Coupled with the massive corruption problem the CPUC (California Public Utilities Commission), the purse string holders of this $1.83B, is facing in their inability to trackdown $300M collected by phone companies over last 2 decades for, among other things, fiber upgrades, and you have the making of a tax payer shakedown akin to Milken, TARP, COVID, etc. Thank you Connect Humanity. internetforall may already be DOA...without massive intervention by the public and their state and federal elected representatives. Our teams locally are working on a fix, but the massive lack of understanding of this tremendous opportunity to close the divide, bring rich resources in economic opportunity, is - by design...it's time to take-off the gloves.

At CCF we believe bridging the digital divide requires investments in community-driven solutions that elevate the voices of those lacking accessibility. It’s vital for California's Broadband For All funding to be directed towards projects addressing the urgent broadband needs of unserved and underserved communities to prioritize #DigitalEquity for all Californians. This recent LAist article explores the concerns of advocates like California Alliance for Digital Equity on the equitable distribution of funding and highlights the importance of making the right investments to bridge the digital divide. READ MORE HERE: https://lnkd.in/e4Y-tGTT

On May 1, NTCA hosted “Smart Communities in Conversation,” where Amy Klobuchar accepted the inaugural Smart Rural Community Champion Award. I highly recommend that you watch it. Her speech highlighted the critical role of broadband in connecting our communities, especially in rural areas where access to the internet can transform lives. 🚀 Senator Klobuchar’s emphasis on the need for digital literacy and community involvement resonates deeply. It's inspiring to see the dedication of providers and policymakers in driving digital inclusion. This is about more than just technology—it's about creating opportunities for education, healthcare, economic development, and so much more. For seven decades, the NTCA has been dedicated to ensuring that all Americans, regardless of their zip code, have access to the global digital landscape. Their unwavering commitment to bridging the digital divide and empowering rural communities is truly commendable, ensuring that they are not left behind in the rapidly evolving digital age. 🌐 As we move forward, it’s crucial to remember that digital inclusion and literacy are key to thriving communities. Ensuring that everyone, regardless of location, has access to high-quality, affordable internet is not just the future—it’s the present. Let’s continue to support and celebrate these efforts to bring broadband to all who need it. Together, we can create a future where every community thrives. 🌍💪 #RuralBroadband #DigitalInclusion #CommunityFirst #BroadbandForAll https://lnkd.in/eHkGwU25

Exciting Development for Mason County: We've been awarded funding through the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act and the Just Transition Fund to embark on a crucial broadband feasibility study. This initiative is a significant step toward our goal of providing reliable internet access for every resident and business in Mason County. We're committed to overcoming the digital divide by identifying and addressing the gaps in our broadband infrastructure. To achieve this, we need the insights and experiences of our community. How You Can Help: Participate in our brief survey to help us locate the broadband gaps. Share the survey within your network to maximize our reach and impact. This is more than just improving internet connectivity; it's about ensuring equitable access to information, opportunities, and digital resources for everyone in Mason County. Let's work together to make a connected and inclusive future a reality. Mason County Surveys: Residential: tinyurl.com/a7tawzjw Business: tinyurl.com/yampx7a7 #MasonCountyBroadband #DigitalEquity #CommunityDevelopment #Innovation

Living in a rural county in North Carolina, the challenge of limited access to broadband internet is a reality for my community and me. Despite ongoing efforts and projects to bridge this digit, many of us are still waiting on timelines that seem too far out of reach. A recent initiative discussed in an article on Government Technology highlights the concerted efforts of county leaders nationwide, lobbying for the extension of affordable internet programs. This movement is not just about connectivity; it's a step toward ensuring equity, education, and economic opportunities are accessible to all, regardless of where they live. The push for broadband extension is a beacon of hope for communities like mine, underscoring the need for continued advocacy and action. We must keep this iteration alive as we move forward, ensuring that rural areas are noticed in our increasingly digital world. https://lnkd.in/gJiKWs5V