rural broadband

The NCTA, or the Rural Broadband Association, released its 2024 Broadband-Internet Availability Survey Report.  The group says it capped off a year in which NCTA members made remarkable strides in delivering on the promise of robust and reliable high-speed connectivity in the most rural parts of the country.  Despite...

Since 1985, the League of Rural Voters has worked to help rural America develop a strong, sustainable, and resilient economy.  However, that won’t happen without closing the significant gaps in rural broadband coverage. Niel Ritchie, executive director of the League of Rural Voters, said the success of the Broadband Equity and Access Deployment Program, or BEAD program, is critical to getting rura

NTCA, the Rural Broadband Association, said it is pleased that the Supreme Court announced it would review a decision from the Fifth Circuit Appeals Court regarding the federal Universal Service Fund.  Specifically, the nation’s highest court will look into the constitutionality of the mechanism for contributions to the Universal Service Fund.     “The...

Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin as well as Iowa's Joni Ernst recently announced their “Access to Capital Creates Economic Strength and Supports Rural America Act” unanimously passed in the Senate.  The ACCESS Act expands rural broadband access by easing the burden of regulatory costs for smaller broadband providers that rural communities rely on.  Baldwin said access...

Money is coming from the American Rescue Plan Act to expand broadband access in Oregon.  Nick Batz, Director of the Oregon Broadband Office, said there are more proposals than the money will cover.   "We received 63 applications totaling $440 million.  So, highly c...

Earlier this week, southwest Washington representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez announced that $4,881,150 has been secured in USDA Community Connect Program funds to expand rural broadband in west Lewis County.  With the funding, Lewis County PUD will deploy 47.3 miles o...

Through its Community Connect Program, Rural Development has awarded $63.8 million to expand high-speed internet in rural areas across 12 states, including Washington.   “We know this is fundamental to building prosperity and a bright future where people and businesses can grow and thrive,” said Helen Price Johnson the State Director for Rural Development in Washington.  "Rural America... Rea

A rural internet service provider in Oregon’s Clackamas County will get a nearly $3 million federal loan to expand high-speed access.  Clear Creek Communications will use the USDA’s Re-Connect Loan Program to deploy fiber broadband for more than 100 people, three businesses and five farms.  Clear Creek’s Presi...

U.S. Department of Agriculture announced nearly $700 million in grants and loans to connect thousands of rural residents, farmers and business owners in 22 states and the Marshall Islands to reliable, affordable high-speed internet through the ReConnect Program.

Oregon is expected to get between $400 million and $1 billion dollars from the federal government over several years to expand broadband access.  Secretary of State Shemia Fagan said an audit of the Oregon Broadband Office finds it needs funding to add staff, to administer and distribute the funds.   “...