Shelley McKinley, general manager of technology and corporate responsibility at Microsoft in Redmond, WA, wrote an op-ed in The Virginian-Pilot highlighting the importance of broadband access in the state in order to "start or run a modern business, access telemedicine, take an online class, digitally transform their farm or research a school project online."
White House releases update on rural broadband initiative
The White House has released the American Broadband Initiative Milestones Report, which it bills as key points on a "roadmap" for increasing rural broadband access and goosing private sector investment in broadband infrastructure, with a focus on leveraging government assets and a...
San Jose launches new fund to bring internet to thousands of off-line homes
On Tuesday, the city of San Jose created the San Jose Digital Inclusion Fund — the largest of its kind in the country. The aim of this fund is to bring broadband access to some 50,000 households over the next decade and teach residents who may be new to the web the digital skills ...
Legislature looks at ways to increase rural broadband service
Legislators are considering a surcharge on wireless calls to raise $10 million a year that utilities could use for internet projects in rural Oregon. The average cell phone user could see an increase of $4 to $8 a year. The surcharge would apply only to calls within the state and ...
West Virginia selected for collaboration to update broadband map
On Tuesday, The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that it is collaborating with eight states to broaden and update the national broadband availability map. The states include West Virginia, California, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nort...
Five things to know about 5G
Companies like Crown Castle are already deploying the infrastructure that will "comprise the backbone of 5G in Chicago and cities across the country." Regarding 5G, it will supprt roughly a 10,000 times increase in data traffic capacity, while delivering more instantaneous and rea...
Georgia House wants local utilities to provide broadband
Following legislation that won unanimous support Monday in the Georgia House, local utility cooperatives would be authorized to provide broadband in an effort to boost internet access in rural areas. Republican Rep. Penny Houston of Nashville said Monday that her proposal would re...