MN PUC Resolution in sight for LTD Broadband
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission has been looking at revoking LTD Broadband’s ETC status, a status they need to receive federal (RDOF) funding. Last week, LTD sent a note saying they’d like to relinquish their ETC status for RDOF but retain ETC status for other funding opportunities (CAF2). Soon after the PUC posted a notice from the Attorney General recommending that MN PUC consider LTD Broadband’s Petition to Relinquish ETC.

OBD Training for Grant Applicants (notes and video)
The Office of Broadband Development hosted a series of webinars for potential grant applicants on the following topics:

• Utility license application and process
• Working with MN Indian Affairs Council, MN Historical Society, and the Office of the State Archaeologist
• State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) 

MN Broadband Task Force April Meeting: BEAD, tribal connectivity
The MN Broadband Task Force met at Black Bear Casino to talk about federal and state funding and where the Office of Broadband is in process of each. There was also a brief discussion on bills being discussed in the Legislature (SF4262/HF4182, SF4742/HF4659 and SF4826/HF4626). A subcommittee wrote a letter to legislators about the bills and met with Senator Putnam.

Bills to Watch in MN Legislature

• More on MN House Transportation, housing and labor package
• HF5242: Transportation supplemental budget bill is referred to Rules and Administration
• MN House passes HF3488: protections for minors appearing in online media
• MN House Committee report on bill related to broadband grant fund transfer and federal application
• HF5217: labor and industry supplemental budget bill includes $1.3 million for Office of Broadband Development
• Second Reading of SF4942 including items related to broadband grant fund transfer and federal application
• Update on House bills related to broadband grant requirements and fund distribution
• MN5409 introduced: Requiring age verification for websites with material harmful to minors
• Report tracks incidents and costs occurring during broadband installation
• MN House moves forward a bill to improve courthouse security – including cyber security
• MN House drops HF4182: Equal Access to Broadband Act
• MN House looks at cutting HF4182: Equal Access to Broadband Act
• MN Seante hears SF5366: fund transfers in broadband budget
• OpEd from broadband industry on MN HF 4182, the Equal Access to Broadband bill
• MN STEM programs could get $3 million for underserved, underrepresented communities from MN Leg (HF5065)
• Coon Rapids MN supports MN HF 4182, the Equal Access to Broadband bill
• MN bill SF4874 (reporting of cybercrime) referred to Committee on Rules and Administration
• MN HF4182 (Equal Access to Broadband Act) laid over for possible inclusion
• Author’s take on two broadband consumer protection bills (HF4659 and HF4818)
• Cable, broadband providers say new MN bill could drive up internet prices
• MN Bill introduced HF5258 on taxation and modifying the exemption for telecommunications machinery and equipment
• MN HF4025: MN Advisory Council established re-referred to Ways and Means (given deadline waiver)
• Broadband bills related to broadband deployment (HF4626 & HF4659) discussed in MN House Committee
• MN Bill introduced: HF5231 on shifting funds to/from Border to Border, Low Density and Line Extension grant

State News    

• Federal report on State of federal Broadband programs in Minnesota
• Office of Broadband Development gets nice nod from Christopher Ali
• Second round of Line Extension awards announced
• Updates From the Office of Broadband Development: Meeting and Line Extension Awards
• Updates From the Office of Broadband Development: upcoming webinars and approved Digital Equity Plan
• MnTech Receives DEED Grant for Tech Workforce Development
• Telecompetitor features OBD director Bree Maki
• Update from Office of Broadband Development: Minnesota’s Digital Opportunity Plan approved

Federal

• NTIA addresses common BEAD misconceptions for non-traditional broadband providers
• Despite efforts from many the Affordable Connectivity Program was not continued
• Common complaints about BEAD in Broadband Breakfast
• FCC Fines Largest Wireless Carriers for Sharing Location Data
• FCC reports on broadband adoption in States and Counties
• FCC Restores Net Neutrality
• New research looks a broadband adoption based on speeds and socioeconomic groups
• Turns out seniors are pretty tech savvy and will want broadband
• Bank ranking and federal funding: FCC won’t use Weiss ratings for one year
• League of Rural Voters opposes FCC vote on Net Neutrality rules
• Broadband “nutritional” labels are required as of April 10
• The FCC to vote on restoring Net Neutrality
• US News Report on Broadband cost, speed and usage in the US
• Losing ACP impacts low income households, broadband providers and interest in grants
• NTIA Adopts New Measures to Streamline Environmental Impact Permitting Review for “Internet for All” Projects
• Some states (such as MN) will not be able to build FTTH everywhere with BEAD funding

Vendor News

• Reports on incident rates of underground digging and utility installation
• MSP Business Journal features Arvig

Local Broadband News

Bemidji
Thousands attend GigaZone Gaming Championship & TechXpo in Bemidji MN

Carver County
Carver County CarverLink expansion plan will provide (almost) ubiquitous broadband by 2025

Faribault County
How Bevcomm is working on MN State Grants in Faribault County

Nobles County
Nobles County to contribute $35,000 toward Lismore broadband project

Northeast MN
Northeast Service Cooperative breaks ground on more Middle Mile in Northeast MN

Scott County
Nuvera to expand FTTH in Belle Plaine, Cokato and Oliva (Scott County)

Southern MN
President Biden talks about rural investment on his visit to Southern MN

Willmar
Willmar to decide on $9.2 million investment in city owned broadband network
More info on Willmar community broadband project

Upcoming Events, Opportunities and Resources

• May 15 – MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
• May 21-22 – Telehealth Everywhere
• EVENTS: Tech classes for nonprofits from MN Council of Nonprofits
• June 1 deadline: OPPORTUNITY: MN Association of Townships Scholarship
• June 10: Building for Digital Equity (#B4DE)
• June 18 – MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
• July 18 – MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
• August 19 – MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
• August 28-29 – MN PUC hearing on LTD Broadband
• September 24 – MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
• October 29 – MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
• November 26 – MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
• December 17 – MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
• OPPORTUNITY: Survey on Human Infrastructure of Broadband
• OPPORTUNITY: Unleash the Good(R) Grant: A Web Design Initiative by ArcStone – deadline May 31
• OPPORTUNITY: Broadband Planning Help Hub
• OPPORTUNITY: ICANN grants to expand broadband Deadline May 24
• OPPORTUNITY: MN Association of Townships Scholarship Applications Open Essays on Broadband