In 2016, the California Public Utilities Commission recommended Inyo Networks, a telecomunications company based in California, to help initiate a project to build Nicasio’s broadband service. The commission also granted to city $1.5 million, 60 percent of the total cost for the project, stating that Nicasio landowners had to raise the other 40 percent. Since then, over 50 percent of landowners contributed to the project, which has a scope of 220 customers. As the project has taken off, there are now 80 customers in Nicasio that have broadband service, and that number is expected to double by early spring. The Nicasio project is the first collaborative broadband project in the county, where nearly 4,000 locations had inadequate broadband connections in 2014.
Legislative push to boost broadband funding underway
Minnesota’s Commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development urged lawmakers to reinstate the Border-to-Border grant program for rural broadband. At a press conference, Commissioner Steve Grove said legislation currently in the works would put $70 millio...
Microsoft says the FCC 'overstates' broadband availability in the US
Microsoft accused the FCC of over-stating actual broadband availability and urged the agency to do better. In the filing, Microsoft said, "For example, in some areas the Commission’s broadband availability data suggests that ISPs have reported significant broadband availabil...
Our view: Government funding speeds rural broadband
An editorial in GoErie.com highlighted the benefits of broadband expansion incentive programs in Pennsylvania. Currently, the lack of high-speed internet "imposes a crippling disadvantage on wide swaths of Pennsylvania." The editorial stated, "Broadband-expansion incentive program...
Interview with Scott Harry
Crown Castle’s Scott Harry participated in an interview with Denver’s Mile High Magazine. Harry discussed wireless networks, the need for improved infrastructure, small cells and the process for building out a 5G network. Speaking to 5G, Harry stated, "It’s the l...
Virginia electric utilities wiring rural areas for broadband
Virginia lawmakers have taken steps to address geographic disparities in broadband coverage by passing a bill that will give the state’s two largest electric utilities, Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power, the green light to provide broadband internet service to unserved a...
Gov. Lee announces $14.8M in broadband grants to expand service in 17 counties
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced $14.8 million in broadband accessibility grants. The grants are part of a plan to expand broadband service to "more than 8,300 households and businesses across 17 Tennessee counties." In a statement, Gov. Lee said he is "committed to ensuring ...