Minnesota’s Five-Year Broadband Action Plan for BEAD funding
The Office of Broadband Development has posted their five-year broadband plan, which is one step in many to receiving federal funding for broadband. The next step will be the Initial Plan in December 2023.
One issue with the BEAD planning is the mapping that will determine distribution of funds. There are folks asking about using mapping to better understand BEAD allocation.
MN Broadband Task Force Sep 2023: Introductions and rules of engagement
The latest iteration of the Minnesota Broadband Task Force met for the first time. They will meet again in November. They do not plan to release a report in 2023, but a recommendation list instead.
MN Digital Opportunity Plan
The Office of Broadband Development released a draft Digital Opportunity Report as a step to getting federal funding for broadband expansion.
They also held listening sessions around the state. We have full notes on the sessions in West St Paul and Minneapolis.
MN PUC meeting on LTD Broadband certification for CAFII: video and notes
The MN PUC today met to discuss LTD Broadband’s annual Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (ETC) certification related to CAFII funding. They decided to continue ETC certification. Initially, the MN PUC was also going to hear about LTD Broadband certification related to RDOF too but that discussion has been postponed.
State News
- New DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek talks broadband with MinnPost
- Minnesota schools receive Emergency Connectivity Funding from the FCC
- Comparing MN vs US farm access and use of broadband
- State of Minnesota is up for various State IT Recognition Awards
- Could BEAD funding help with phone service in rural Minnesota?
Federal/National News
- Sen Klobuchar urges AI regulations for elections – another answer is information literacy
- More details the push for Net Neutrality
- Senators ask FCC to restore Net Neutrality
- Senator Smith working on Expanded Telehealth Access Act
- Why don’t folks in Indiana have home broadband subscriptions?
- FCC broadband maps might not capture reality of cellular fixed wireless access degradation
- Celebrating Adult Education and Family Literacy Week
- Do recent rules disadvantage smaller broadband providers?
- The US Senate confirms Anna Gomez to FCC
Vendor News
- Arvig upgrades to 400 Gbps-capable routes in parts of its Minnesota backbone
- Arvig celebrates Lifeline Awareness Week with info on broadband assistance for households
Local Broadband News
Anoka and Ramsey Counties
WOW Internet building a fiber network in Anoka and Ramsey Counties
Carlos
Carlos MN gets FTTH through Spectrum (Douglas County)
Carver County
Celebrating 10 years of Carver County’s CarverLink Fiber Network
North Central MN
MN Broadband Development Office Listening Session in North Central MN
Two Harbors
Office of Broadband Development visits Two Harbors: some people waiting 15 years for infrastructure
Winona
Winona reminds folks of the Line Extension Program for last mile broadband help
Upcoming Events, Opportunities and Resources
- EVENT: Nov 4: MN Broadband Task Force monthly meeting
- OPPORTUNITY: Two open seats on MN Broadband Task Force
- OPPORTUNITY: State funding available for assistive technology for older folks and folks with disabilities