Benton Institute for Broadband & Society - Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program

https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-releases-new-national-broadband-maps

FCC Releases New National Broadband Maps

benton — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 15:10:06 +0000

The Federal Communications Commission released a pre-production draft of its new National Broadband Map. The map will display specific location-level information about broadband services available throughout the country – a significant step forward from the census block level data previously collected. This release of the draft map kicks off the public challenge processes that will play a critical role in improving the accuracy of the map. An accurate map is an important resource for targeting funding and other efforts to bring broadband to unserved and underserved communities. The public will be able to view the maps at broadbandmap.fcc.gov and search for their address to see information about the fixed and mobile services that internet providers report are available there. If the fixed internet services shown are not available at the user’s location, they may file a challenge with the FCC directly through the map interface to correct the information. Map users will also be able correct information about their location and add their location to the map if it is missing. The draft map will also allow users to view the mobile wireless coverage reported by cellular service providers.

The FCC also announced the launch of an updated version of the FCC Speed Test App that will enable users to quickly compare the performance and coverage of their mobile networks to that reported by their provider. The app allows users to submit their mobile speed test data in support of a challenge to a wireless service provider’s claimed coverage. New users can download the FCC Speed Test App in both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Existing app users should update the app to gain these new features.

Benton Content:

Teaser:

A pre-production draft of the FCC's new National Broadband Map

Source:

Federal Communications Commission

Send date:

Mon, 11/21/2022

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 11/18/2022

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Fri, 11/18/2022

Coverage Type:

Public Notice

Federal Communications Commission

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program

Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability (DATA) Act

https://www.benton.org/blog/broadband-mapping-and-communities

Broadband Mapping By and For Communities

benton — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 16:15:25 +0000

On Monday, September 26, Benton Institute for Broadband & Society Director of Research and Fellowships Dr. Revati Prasad hosted an online panel discussion, From the Ground Up: Broadband Mapping By and for Communities, on how communities and states are collecting data on local broadband availability as the Federal Communications Commission rolls out the Broadband Data Collection (BDC) program. The panel was moderated by Dustin Loup, the Program Manager at the National Broadband Mapping Coalition, the event's co-sponsor. He framed the discussion by highlighting that inaccurate broadband deployment data has not only overestimated the percentage of U.S. households with access to broadband, it has also prevented some communities from being eligible for federal and/or state programs that subsidize broadband network buildout. Read what the panel had to say at the link below.

Benton Content:

Benton Original Content

Teaser:

Recapping From the Ground Up: Broadband Mapping By and For Communities

Source:

Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

Author:

Kevin Taglang

Send date:

Mon, 10/03/2022

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 9/30/2022

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Fri, 09/30/2022

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Reporting

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Benton Foundation

Biden-Harris Administration Approves Kansas, Nevada, and West Virginia’s “Internet for All” Initial Proposal

zwalker@benton.org — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 21:28:17 +0000

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved Kansas, Nevada and West Virginia’s Initial Proposals for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, a cornerstone of the Biden-Harris Administration’s “Internet for All” initiative. Kansas, Nevada and West Virginia are among the first states to reach this important milestone, which will enable them to request access to funding and begin implementation of the BEAD program—a major step towards closing the digital divide and meeting the President’s goal of connecting everyone in America with affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet service. Today’s action makes available $451.7 million for Kansas, $416.6 million for Nevada, and $1.2 billion for West Virginia.

Benton Content:

https://www.ntia.gov/press-release/2024/biden-harris-administration-approves-kan…

Teaser:

The NTIA has approved Kansas, Nevada and West Virginia’s Initial Proposals for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program

Source:

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Send date:

Fri, 04/26/2024

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 4/25/2024

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Thu, 04/25/2024

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National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program

https://fiberbroadband.org/2024/04/25/fiber-electrifies-alabama-broadband-plans/

Fiber Electrifies Alabama Broadband Plans

zwalker@benton.org — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 20:21:41 +0000

As energy companies around the country deploy fiber to improve grid reliability, they open the door to enabling broadband connectivity to previously unserved rural communities. Alabama Power has invested over $1 billion in infrastructure upgrades to add over 1,600 miles of fiber within its service areas since 2017. It now connects over 1,000 devices on its electric distribution system, allowing for real-time monitoring and grid reconfiguration. Alabama Power’s fiber and state regulatory changes have enabled the utility to partner with the state’s electric co-ops and internet companies to deploy fiber by providing middle mile fiber to reach rural areas. They leverage Alabama Power’s existing fiber assets to reduce cost and enable others to open and expand last-mile access for unserved communities. Alabama’s partnership with these electric co-ops delivers over 3,000 miles of middle-mile fiber to 67 counties in the state, together as the Alabama Fiber Network. Alabama has been allocated $1.4 billion in National Telecommunications and Information Administration Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) funding for broadband infrastructure and Alabama Power stands ready to provide dark fiber to ISPs interested in applying for BEAD and other broadband projects.

Benton Content:

Teaser:

Electric utilities in Alabama are working together to close the digital divide

Source:

Fiber Broadband Association

Author:

Autumn Minnich

Send date:

Fri, 04/26/2024

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 4/25/2024

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Thu, 04/25/2024

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National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program

https://potsandpansbyccg.com/2024/04/24/rural-broadband-is-expensive-today/

Rural Broadband Is Expensive Today

Grace Tepper — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 15:39:13 +0000

One of the trends that is a concern for internet service providers (ISPs) is plans by State Broadband Offices to force Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) winners to charge low rates for broadband. One argument for lowering rates is that the government is paying a big portion of the cost of building the broadband networks, and it ought to be able to extract concessions from the ISPs for taking the grant funding. In most places, BEAD will be used for the most sparsely populated places, which in many instances also have the toughest topography and construction challenges. The other argument I’ve often heard is that ISPs can provide lower rates because ISPs make a lot of money and can afford it. This might be true for the large national ISPs that can average the revenues from BEAD areas across larger markets with higher margins. But rural ISPs can’t be shouldered with providing the low rates so that folks can afford broadband. ISPs can’t be forced to somehow fund the end of the Affordable Connectivity Program – particularly in rural areas. Anybody who has ever operated any business knows that operating with too-low rates is a road to eventual financial disaster.

Benton Content:

Teaser:

Rural ISPs can’t be shouldered with providing the low rates so that folks can afford broadband.

Source:

CCG Consulting

Author:

Doug Dawson

Send date:

Thu, 04/25/2024

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 4/24/2024

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Wed, 04/24/2024

Coverage Type:

Analysis

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program

Internet/Broadband

Infrastructure

Affordability/Cost/Price

Legislation

Individuals who primarily Reside in a Rural Area

Marginalized Populations

Closing Michigan's Digital Skill Divide

zwalker@benton.org — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 20:36:04 +0000

The digital divide isn’t just about access to broadband and computers and other hardware, it’s also about access to skills. Massive investments made through the bipartisan infrastructure law will send billions of dollars to states and localities across the U.S. over the next five years to help close the digital divide. This includes millions that will flow to Michigan through the Digital Equity Act and the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. New research demonstrates the urgency and the payoff if Michigan directs a significant portion of these resources to high-quality digital skills training programs.

Benton Content:

https://nationalskillscoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/NSC-MI_factsheet_…

Teaser:

Some facts about Michigan's digital divide

Source:

National Skills Coalition

Send date:

Wed, 04/24/2024

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 4/23/2024

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Publish Date:

Tue, 04/23/2024

Coverage Type:

Analysis

Digital Literacy

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program

https://nationalskillscoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/GA_DigitalDivide_…

Closing Georgia's Digital Skill Divide

zwalker@benton.org — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 20:29:27 +0000

The digital divide isn’t just about access to broadband and computers and other hardware, it’s also about access to skills. Massive investments made through the bipartisan infrastructure law will send billions of dollars to states and localities across the US over the next five years to help close the digital divide. This includes $1.3 billion that is slated to flow to Georgia through the Digital Equity Act and the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. New research demonstrates the urgency and the payoff if Georgia directs a significant portion of these resources to high-quality digital skills training programs.

Benton Content:

Teaser:

Some facts about Georgia's digital divide

Source:

National Skills Coalition

Send date:

Wed, 04/24/2024

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 4/23/2024

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Not Available

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Publish Date:

Tue, 04/23/2024

Coverage Type:

Analysis

Digital Literacy

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program

https://www.ntia.gov/blog/2024/permitting-progress-support-internet-all

Permitting Progress to Support Internet for All

zwalker@benton.org — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 20:12:29 +0000

Streamlining and accelerating the permitting process is critical to implementing the Internet for All initiative. Since the passage of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that provided a historic $65 billion investment to expand affordable and reliable high-speed Internet access to everyone in America, we heard from stakeholders that permitting is a significant concern in implementing the program. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is adopting a proactive strategy to streamline and improve broadband permitting across NTIA’s programs and maximize permitting coordination efforts and efficiency with other federal, state, and local agencies.

NTIA has developed and released a publicly available mapping application to help recipients plan projects that avoid environmental impacts and identify permitting considerations as early as possible.
For the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD), NTIA will partner with eligible entities (states and territories) to maximize National Environmental Policy Act efficiencies.
At NTIA’s request, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) has expanded the availability of streamlined historic preservation rules for communications projects, increasing the predictability and efficiency of these reviews for NTIA and other federal agencies supporting broadband deployments.

Ultimately, we are making it easier for states and territories to navigate the federal permitting process while maintaining the critical role permitting plays in protecting historic, cultural, and natural resources and the environment. We will continue to prioritize improvements in permitting efficiency as we work to achieve Internet for All.

Benton Content:

Teaser:

NTIA will continue to prioritize improvements in permitting efficiency as we work to achieve Internet for All

Source:

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Author:

Jill Springer

Send date:

Thu, 04/18/2024

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 4/17/2024

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Publish Date:

Wed, 04/17/2024

Coverage Type:

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program