Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced plans "for a pilot program to bring broadband internet to all of rural America." The plan "will provide $600 million in grants and loans to internet service providers to bring connection to parts of the country that are too remote, underpopulated or expensive to service." While most of the projects will bring internet connection to paying customers at homes or businesses, "19 proposals have laid out plans to build community centers where residents could access the internet free of charge," which Secretary Perdue acknowledged was necessary when he announced the pilot program.
AT&T expands fiber to a dozen more metros — boosting its 5G efforts
AT&T "unveiled 12 new metropolitan areas for its fiber service part of a push that should help the next-generation of wireless networks, as well." The company said more cities will get ultra-high-speed broadband options, bringing its total to 84 in the U.S.
County to upgrade 911 fiber network
Lawrence County, PA, is upgrading its public safety communications to enable better communication between Lawrence and Mercer counties. The county commissioners approved a contract of $155,274 with Mission Critical Partners, LLC to oversee its fiber network project. The upgrades "...
Green light for Petersham broadband network
Residents voted overwhelmingly in favor of a ballot measure giving the final green light for a town-wide broadband network in Petersham, MA. Petersham residents "easily agreed to front the $800,000 cost for the utility pole ‘make-ready’ work in order to build a publicl...
Blue Earth County Board looks to expand broadband options
The Blue Earth County Board in Blue Earth County, MN is looking to "kickstart efforts to bring more broadband options and data fiber connections to the area." Commissioner Vance Stuehrenberg called on county officials Tuesday to lay the groundwork for a future public-private data ...
Small cell rollout has Mitchell planners in action
The Mitchell Planning Commission in Mitchell, SD discussed "what the future for cellular coverage in the city will look like, expecting the growth of small cell and 5G technology in the future." The commission discussed a proposed ordinance to regulate small cell facilities. The u...
Cortez seeks public-private partnership on fiber optics
The city of Cortez, Colorado "issued a request for proposals seeking a qualified fiber-to-home company to partner with the city to deliver fiber optic internet connection to all homes and businesses in Cortez." The RFP "seeks companies that could handle financing, design, business...