Exciting News for Pennsylvania: The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program is set to revolutionize internet accessibility across the state! With over $1.16 billion allocated, we're on the brink of a transformative shift towards high-speed broadband in previously underserved areas. 🗺️ The Federal Communications Commission 's National Broadband Map is a crucial resource in this initiative, offering insights into current internet availability. Check it out at https://lnkd.in/entGenAV and make sure your community's data is accurately represented. 👥 The BEAD Program will soon launch its own map challenge process, providing an opportunity for governments, nonprofits, and industry organizations to ensure accurate broadband mapping. This process is expected to begin this month. 💻 To participate in the BEAD Challenge, agencies must have an FCC Registration Login and an NTIA Tier E License. Get prepared now to advocate for your community's connectivity and ensure equitable access to high-speed internet for all. Let's make a difference together! Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eZX9fV7j #BroadbandEquity #DigitalInclusion #PAConnectivity

The two "Fs," Funding and Foundations; indeed, two critical topics right now for open source projects AND the orgs that rely on #opensource. If the projects and communities you and your business rely on can't survive, then... Not to promote my session or anything, but I'll discuss these same topics and how oarnering with colleges and universities can help find funding and support foundations. looking forward to attending #OW2CON and chatting, sharing, and learning.

🚨 NEW BLOG: Keep your state connected - the importance of BEAD funding and how Connected Nation can help Stay up-to-date with @NTIAgov Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program funding by reading our latest blog here ➡️ https://bit.ly/3WHm46K #ConnectedNation

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

A huge thanks to Broadband Communities for bringing together fellow travelers working to close the divide this week in The Woodlands, Texas! This was our VP of Partnerships Erica Mesker first #BBCSummit. Her takeaways:   1️⃣ BEAD provides the funds to incentivize serving higher cost areas, but will NOT BE ENOUGH to fully close the digital divide; some BEAD-funded areas will succeed, some will fail, and others will be left behind. 2️⃣ Private equity sees broadband as a BIG PROFIT OPPORTUNITY but is in a “wait and see” mode to see how BEAD plays out, while salivating at the prospect of bumper returns in a coming wave of consolidation. It’s being called a “get rich slow” scheme. 3️⃣ Nothing wrong with making money, I’m all for it! But in this once-in-a-generation opportunity, we need to make sure that funding “sticks” to local and regional economies and not just extracted to maximize shareholder value at the detriment to actually connecting people. Most who spoke at the conference want this too, saying communities need a “seat at the table,” but also “need skin in the game.” Best summed up by Jim Baller (paraphrasing): “The ideal scenario is that communities are informed of their choices and do not have outside forces dictating their choices.” There is an opportunity to do things differently and choose partners wisely. Connect Humanity is ready to be a key partner and resource, particularly in Appalachia, to uplift the region through non-extractive, community-centric broadband investments.   And, as ever, it's been fantastic to meet IRL with our friends and partners, including the brilliant Elizabeth Sanner from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).

Great to talk with Deepa Fernandes of NPR’s Here and Now about the implications of ending the federal Affordable Connectivity Program for 23 million US households. Have a listen. Later this week, the Senate will vote to continue the #ACP with short-term funding paid for by the proposed sales of spectrum bands. Even so, a sustainable and permanent solution is needed. #digitaladvancement #internetforall #digitalequity

Vermont's innovative approach to community-led broadband demonstrates how pooling resources, volunteerism, and strategic partnerships with ISPs can create sustainable internet solutions. But can this approach be applied to improving broadband access in rural America? A report by the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society suggests that leveraging economies of scale and deep community engagement can provide a viable blueprint for other states facing similar broadband challenges. #internetaccess #DigitalEquity #tech via Benton Institute for Broadband & Society https://lnkd.in/erjhvP7N

On the Blog: Connecting California: Exploring the State of Middle- and Last-mile Broadband Funding

Good #connectivity can help with economic equality and growth, remote work, educational opportunities, and even healthcare. But there’s a significant gap between rural and urban access to #broadband in the U.S. To help address this disadvantage, the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program is providing $42.45B to help get rural areas connected.    We’ve created the Calix Funding Consult Program to help local broadband service providers (BSPs) navigate the complexities of applying for #BEAD funds. Learn more about this resource and closing the rural broadband gap:  https://lnkd.in/ejeTizif #rural #remoteaccess

Bridging the digital divide is essential for fostering education, healthcare, and economic development in these areas. Ensuring that tribal communities have access to reliable broadband is not just a technological necessity but a matter of equity and inclusion. Read more about the potential for enhanced support and the impact it can have: https://lnkd.in/exZKR2gB #TribalBroadband #DigitalInclusion #Connectivity #GAO #NTIA