Direct Line Communications Inc’s Post

I am really excited to report that the Vermont Community Broadband Board has released the State of Vermont’s Digital Equity Plan, which was recently approved by NTIA. Vernonburg Group is proud to be supporting this effort. Just like every of state and territory in the US, far more people in Vermont are not signing up for home broadband services than there are people lacking access to broadband services. Closing the broadband availability gap is extremely important and, with ARPA, BEAD, and other support, states and territories, like Vermont, should have enough federal funds to close that gap, once and for all. States and territories also need to give equal attention and devote adequate funding to increasing broadband adoption rates through programs focused on digital equity and opportunity. Vermont’s plan is a critical step in that direction. #broadband #internetforall #digital equity #digitalequity #NTIA #VCBB Greg Guice Alexander Jeffery Breese McIlvaine Christine Hallquist Alissa Matthews Rob Fish Britaney W. Alexei Monsarrat Emily Keshap https://lnkd.in/e7NTrWdT https://lnkd.in/eJepxT53

Take a look at this article I found this week. It discusses the critical role of broadband expansion in the United States, particularly in the context of the recently allocated $42.5 billion in federal funding. In summary, federal funding presents a historic opportunity to bridge the digital gap and enhance connectivity nationwide. States’ strategic decisions in subgrantee selection and infrastructure development will shape the future of broadband access for millions of Americans. https://lnkd.in/gCK8Xrrb

https://lnkd.in/gfkR9vaj "A cornerstone of ConnectALL is the $228 million Municipal Infrastructure Program, which is meant to help localities primarily in unserved and underserved communities build and maintain public broadband networks. To date, four municipalities have received grants from the program and have seen successful preliminary results. The benefits of the Municipal Infrastructure Program cannot be overstated. Public broadband options introduce competition in areas where there is currently only one broadband provider to choose from. And unlike private broadband providers, public broadband networks operate to meet the needs of the community, not their bottom line."

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

If we want to strengthen the nation and our economy, it starts with providing access to safer, healthier, and connected communities. That starts with middle mile infrastructure that connects into underserved and excluded communities. California is enabling #digitalinclusion by building its own public network with the help of its partners, to provide affordable broadband to all. Read the latest here:

George Hogshead, a resident of Highland County in Virginia and recent Chair of the Highland County’s Economic Development Authority, hits the nail on the head in his recent op-ed: “We cannot let Washington bureaucrats torpedo our chances [of rural connectivity] with overly burdensome regulations. Broadband has the opportunity to be a lifeblood for rural Virginia. It’s time for regulators to get out of the way of progress, and for rural Virginians to reap the benefits of reliable broadband access.”   Heavy-handed regulation will threaten the success of the Biden Administration’s #InternetForAll initiative and negatively impact rural communities across the country. Read the full op-ed here: https://bit.ly/3uUci5v #BEAD #Connectivity #CableIndustry #Virginia 

Re-upping: 2021 piece I wrote with Jorge Schement. Understanding role of oversight/assessment in broadband as civic infrastructure important in light of Digital Equity Act NOFO. https://lnkd.in/ezdxn7MS

Online telecommunications publication, Telecompetitor, highlighted the Vermont Communication Utility (CUD) approach in their June 18 article. The author heralded Vermont's community grassroots efforts and the model as "innovative business and financial structures...bringing broadband to Vermonters." The article began by highlighting the efforts and history of ECFiber. "The first CUD in Vermont, ECFiber, began as a limited liability company in 2008. It became a CUD when the legal framework for the approach was approved by legislators. It now brings together 23 communities in the northeast region of the state, according to the report, “Neighborly Networks: Vermont’s Approach to Community Broadband"... ECFiber was followed by CVFiber (2018), SoVT (2019), NEK Broadband, DVFiber, Lamoille FiberNet, Otter Creek CUD, NW Fiberworx, Maple Broadband (2020); and Chittenden County CUD (2022)... Today, there are 10 CUDs in various stages of operation. They serve 216 of the state’s 252 municipalities (76% of the state’s population) and 93% of the residences that were unserved by adequate broadband in 2023." For additional details, and to read entire article, click the link below: https://lnkd.in/ewsAhYiu #CUD #Vermont #telecommunications #ECFiber

The federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program (B.E.A.D) works to expand broadband accessibility to locations that are considered unserved. Thanks to this program, the state of Indiana is receiving a sizable amount to close the gap of areas in northeast Indiana that lack internet access. Check out this article to learn more about this massive win for Indiana communities: https://lnkd.in/gceDa-5b #TechNewsUpdate #ConnectivityMatters #WiFiSolutions

Check out this interesting article on how local governments are balancing a variety of funding sources to ensure that every corner of rural America gets connected. From understanding grant requirements to developing strategic plans for sustainable broadband infrastructure, rural areas are proving that with the right support, digital equity is achievable. Learn how these communities are paving the way for a more connected future https://hubs.li/Q02MsGhR0 #BroadbandExpansion #DigitalEquity #RuralDevelopment #broadband