N.C. Department of Information Technology’s Post

Investment in our technological & communication infrastructure are key measures that keep North Carolina a strategic player in our developing global economy.

With $42 billion in federal BEAD funds on the table, we have a chance to close our nation’s digital divide and bring connectivity to every home, school, hospital, and business. However, realizing this potential requires more than just financial support—it demands the expertise of experienced ISPs. In my recent op-ed for Governing, I explore why these seasoned ISPs are crucial for the successful deployment and ongoing maintenance of broadband networks.   Read it here: https://lnkd.in/e8stkzyV

"Vermont's broadband expansion receives national recognition" reads the Claremont, NH's Eagle Times' June 15, 2024 headline. "A new report from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and Benton Institute for Broadband & Society gives a detailed and glowing review of Vermont’s Communications Union District (CUD) model of meeting the challenges of rural broadband. The 50-page report describes the history of the struggle for reliable internet service and shows how CUDs have become the solution. It starts with the state’s first CUD, ECFiber, and then profiles the nine CUDs that followed. CUD leaders, state officials, and VCBB Board Members were interviewed for the report, which also serves as a guide and suggests that other states or countries could benefit from a similar approach to rural broadband." Read the entire article with quotes from local officials. https://lnkd.in/enHx-QXd #ECFiber #CUDs #Vermont #localbroadband #communityowned

Interesting Read - The Western Governors Association is pressing Congress and Federal agencies to cut thier own red tape around Broadband Funding. Historically, most all of the Federal programs around Broadband funding are frout with Polices, Decres and procedures that impede the approval process, and limit the ablity of many Rural Providers to bid on and win funding. Tha WGA is also pushing to standardize the approved definition of broadband to "at least" 100 megabytes per second (Mbps) for downloads, 20 megabytes per second for uploads, and "scalable to" 100 Mbps for both, across all Federal Funding. #ruralbroadband #ruralinternet, #ruralconnectivity, #wisp, #wirelessbroadband

While the money still needs to reach providers who will then do the necessary work to bring broadband to underserved and unserved communities, with the approval of Texas’ initial Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) proposal, all 56 eligible states and territories have now had their initial proposals approved. This is great news! There's evidence of this as eight states and territories are “in the process of selecting the internet service providers who will build the networks,” according to the NTIA. And with the NTIA also reporting that they have made available “nearly $37 billion in BEAD funding to states and territories," the hope is that deploying the money to interested providers will continue to accelerate. #BEADFunding #HighSpeedInternet #FTTH

A possible ACP solution?

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

Kudos to the AAPB for creating a clear and straightforward guide for communities that want to own their internet futures! If you've been wondering how your village, township or city can overcome the challenges of no internet, or the dominion of a single provider, this is the handbook you've been looking for! #Broadband #AAPB #Benton https://lnkd.in/dtXF3xNi

Mississippi is on a mission to close the digital gap, identifying homes and businesses without high-speed internet to provide financial aid through grants. This initiative is part of the broader Internet for All effort, aiming to ensure every American has access to reliable and affordable Internet service. As we strive for digital inclusivity, let’s discuss innovative ways to support this endeavor and share success stories. How can we further drive connectivity in our communities? https://lnkd.in/daWinyWK #InternetForAll #DigitalInclusivity

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), crucial for ensuring broadband affordability, ceased accepting applications on February 7, 2024, with April 2024 being its last fully funded month. The cessation of the ACP, which has been allocating $30 monthly credits to support internet access for over 23 million households, represents a significant shift. Annually, this amounted to at least $9 billion spent on ensuring that internet access—a necessity akin to water and power in the modern era—remains affordable. With the program's end, many households will face increased financial strain as they now must pay full price for internet service. The broader impact on ISPs will likely depend on how many customers downgrade or discontinue service due to higher costs.