U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), John Thune (R-SD), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), and Jerry Moran (R-KS) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to expand broadband access to rural communities. The Reforming Broadband Connectivity Act would strengthen funding mechanisms for the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Universal Service Fund (USF), which promotes universal access to broadband and other telecommunications services.
As severe weather events increase, so does danger to rural communities. Plans are in place to address the urban observation bias in national weather prediction, but the other piece — reliable broadband — could still be years away for places like Eastern Kentucky.
Over the past two years, millions of low-income U.S. households have received broadband internet at a discount through two consecutive government programs -- but they could soon lose that benefit.
To kick off the Broadband Initiative, the JTF has invested nearly $1 million in eight organizations working to close the digital divide in coal-impacted communities across the U.S.
One of the biggest roadblocks to closing coal companies is finding jobs for all the people who will be put out of work. The Just Transition Fund aims to bring broadband to coal country.
A look at why broadband remains inaccessible to certain communities, and why new federal efforts may still fail to reach them.
A look at the major difference broadband access in rural communities can make for employers, from a human resources-oriented perspective.
The end-of-year omnibus spending package passed by Congress has considerable support for broadband projects, as our friends at the Benton Institute discuss in this article.
Through federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and American Rescue Plan (ARP), Appalachian states have a chance to take a big step towards affordable, quality broadband for nearly everyone. A new paper by ReImagine Appalachia details essential recommendations to maximize the impact of broadband rollout in the region.
The ACP Outreach Grant Program will provide funding to community organizations to help make sure more people know about and take advantage of a subsidy to help rural and low-income families get broadband access. This program provides a critical opportunity for the Just Transition Fund’s partners and allies, including groups not already working in the digital equity space, to build on the local relationships and trust they’ve developed to spread the word about this program.
Read more from the Benton Institute on the ongoing work focused on how communities can reach their broadband goals—and how philanthropy can help.
Lessons learned from the sixth annual Indigenous Connectivity Summit, where Indigenous community members and digital advocates came together in person for the first time since 2019 to work to advance fast, affordable and sustainable internet for Indigenous communities.
