Recent News
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In mid-November, 2022, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released its pre-production draft broadband map. The final map is expected to be released in the Spring of 2023.
Here is the link to the map:
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Governor Hochul Announces Launch of $10 Million ConnectALL Pilot Initiative to Bring Affordable Broadband Internet Access to Rural Communities
New York Power Authority to Leverage Existing Communications Infrastructure for Broadband Deployment in Village of Sherburne, Chenango County.
Three Additional Towns Targeted for ConnectALL Pilot Initiative: Nichols in Tioga County, the Town of Diana in Lewis County, and the Town of Pitcairn in St. Lawrence County.
Pilot Initiative Part of the Governor’s More Than $1 Billion ConnectALL Initiative — the Largest Ever Investment in New York's 21st Century Digital Infrastructure.
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On May 13, 2002 the National Telecommunication and Information Administration released Notices of Funding Opportunities for $65 billion for digital equity
NTIA released three Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs)—which basically open up the application process for three of the programs NTIA will manage allocated through the IIJA:
The Digital Equity Act (DEA) Programs, the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, the Middle Mile Program. -
New York State Launches First-of-Its-Kind Portal that Offers Interactive Snapshot of Digital Equity Data
The NYS Digital Equity Portal is an interactive, online data mapping tool for communities across the state seeking data on New Yorkers' ability to access the internet to advance digital equity.
The NYS Digital Equity Portal was made possible through a partnership with Community Tech NY, Cornell University's New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations, the New York State Education Department, the New York State Library and The John R. Oishei Foundation.
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On November 7th the Infrastructure Expansion Act of 2021 passed in the House
A few highlights: -Digital Equity Act: $2.75 billion over 5 years -Broadband Grants for States, DC, Puerto Rico territories: $42.5 billion -Broadband Benefit: $14.2 billion
-Tribal Connectivity Program: $2 billion
-Middle Mile Connectivity: $1 billion
-“Digital Discrimination” by internet service providers is prohibited
-Clear labeling of consumer broadband service offerings and prices is required -
USDA to Make Up to $1.15 Billion Available to Help People Living in Rural Communities Access High-Speed Internet
Department Also Invests $50 Million to Improve Access to Telemedicine, Distance Learning for 7.6 Million People in Rural Areas.
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Governor Hochul Announces Launch of Mapping Survey to Examine Quality and Availability of Broadband Across the State
The Broadband Mapping Consumer Survey is to assist in New York's first-ever in-depth statewide mapping study of broadband to identify the availability, reliability and cost of high-speed broadband services across the state. Correctly gauging the prevalence and reach of broadband service has been a challenge not just in New York, but nationally.
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Emergency Broadband Benefit becomes the Affordable Connectivity Program
What's Changing?
The maximum monthly benefit will change from $50 per month to $30 per month for households not located on qualifying Tribal lands. The monthly benefit will remain at $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands.Households have new ways to qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program such as: receiving WIC benefits or having an income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Households that qualified for the Emergency Broadband Benefit due to a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020 or by meeting the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's COVID-19 program will need to requalify for the Affordable Connectivity Program. -
The FCC just announced a second round of funding for the Emergency Connectivity Fund that will start on September 28th
In view of outstanding demand and the recent spike in coronavirus cases, the FCC will open a second application filing window. This second window will open on September 28 and run until October 13. During this new application filing window, eligible schools, libraries, and consortia of eligible schools and libraries will be able to submit requests for funding to purchase eligible equipment and services between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022.
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State Digital Equity Scorecard
On July 22, 2021 Microsoft, the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, and the National Skills Coalition launched a State Digital Equity Scorecard. The Scorecard examines how different States are addressing the digital equity employment skills gap. (photo credit: Learnpatch)
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Achieving Digital Equity in New York: An Outline for Collaborative Change
On June 7th, 2021 the New York State Education Department released a report outlining the priorities identified during their Digital Equity Summits.
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The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB) Tracker
On June 8th, 2021, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced another important milestone for the Emergency Broadband Benefit - 2.3 Million household are now using the benefit to get, or stay, connected.
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American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding Breakdown
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, also called the COVID-19 Stimulus Package or American Rescue Plan, is a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill, signed into law on March 11, 2021 by President Joe Biden, to speed up the United States' recovery from the economic and health effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
