Community Broadband Media Roundup - September 30

Arizona

More data needed to bridge digital divide, expand high-speed Internet by Laurel Morales, Arizona Public Media 

California

We have options right here in Nevada County by Erika Kosina, The Union 

Illinois

Durbin, Maloney introduce bicameral bill to increase access to broadband service for low-income Americans

Iowa

Waterloo taps consultant to explore city broadband system by Tim Jamison, The Courier

Georgia

Closer look: State broadband director shares plans to bridge the digital divide by Candace Wheeler, WABE 

A new report shows that the rural broadband situation in Georgia is worse than first thought by Devin Johnson, WJBF 

Maine

A regional conversation: The future of broadband in your community, Bangor Daily News 

Sidewalk study, broadband report dominate selectmen’s agenda by Joseph Charpentier, Boothbay Register 

New Hampshire

The digital divide: The lack of sufficient broadband Internet access in ConVal towns by Abbe Hamilton, Monadnock Ledger-Transcript

“Towns that don’t have broadband aren’t going to attract any new families,” said Chris Lynch of Matrix Design Group.

He described a lack of broadband as a “death cycle” for a town, as it prevents the influx of new residents and discourages high school graduates from making a living in the area. Despite this, many attendees expressed frustration with the lack of options and progress towards faster Internet.

North Carolina

County to lease broadband fiber infrastructure by George Willoughby, Courier-Times 

Pennsylvania

Broadband expansion further looked into by Mike Reuther, Sun-Gazette

Business connections: North Central representatives talk 'Broadband and Business' by Elaine Haskins, Courier Express 

South Dakota

South Dakota works to get ahead on digital divide and rural Internet deserts by Greg Dean, Argus Leader 

Utah

American Fork City Council moves ahead with plan for public fiber Internet network by Jeremy Harris, KUTV

Washington

Wifi wires will run through water pipes in northern Washington town by John Ryan, KUOW 

West Virginia

Berkeley County to invite public-private partnership proposals to improve broadband service by Matthew Umstead, Herald Mail Media

Commission applies for broadband planning grant by Dylan Vindovich, Logan Banner 

General

How libraries are bridging the digital divide, WNYC

When people don’t have the internet at home or are unsure how to use digital tools, they turn to their local library--no matter where they are in the country. Librarians are at the forefront of understanding our digital divide, and they know it’s far more complicated than having, or not having, internet.

Moving backwards: Consolidation, deregulation & lack of accountability in the US media and broadband industries by Gigi Sohn, Benton Institute 

Rep. McNerney introduces legislation to close the digital divide

Rosenworcel calls T-Mobile/Sprint merger review process ‘bonkers’ by Monica Alleven, FierceWireless 

“This review has been bonkers. It’s been crazy,” she told reporters after the commission’s open meeting on Thursday. “Our colleagues agreed to this transaction without having before them any legal analysis, engineering analysis or economic analysis.”