MN Broadband Task Force September Meeting
There were presentations from Gardonville, PCs for People, HealthMed, a chat with Senator Putnam and updates from OBD. Hot topics included:
- Concern about state funding to supplement BEAD funding
- Concern that MN will have enough MN companies/workers to deploy broadband, which means training, certification, regulation and funding to support local work
- Need for better MN data
- Need to look at MN speed goals
MN Dep of Health Study of Telehealth
The MN Department of Health has released a new report, Study of Telehealth Expansion and Payment Parity that makes recommendations on expansion and payment parity.
Updated Community Network Map from ILSR
The Institute for Local Self Reliance has released their new version of our Community Network Map, showing where municipal networks operate across the United States and how they are acting to bring new service, competition, and more affordable connectivity to places around the country.
State News
- New state laws help consumers cancel streaming subscriptions more easily
- Observations on rural/urban migration in Minnesota before, during and after the pandemic
- Conservative take on MN 2024 bill to remove barrier to community networks
- Reports show 36 percent of MN Households financially hurting – access to broadband could help
- Will MN broadband providers find ways to work with BEAD funding regulations?
Federal
- Sen Klobuchar on BEAD/Federal approval of Minnesota Broadband Infrastructure Plan
- Biden-Harris Administration Approves Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota, and South Carolina’s “Internet for All” Initial Proposals
- Senators Klobuchar and Warner ask tech companies to address election-related misinformation
- Pew recognize conundrum for State and households over loss of ACP
- The UN provides recommendations for Governing AI for Humanity
- What do Vance and Walz have to say about tech policy? An interesting podcast
- Research connects online learning with employment
- Four key findings in recent State EdTech Trends survey
- Senator Klobuchar and others urge Justice Department and FTC to investigate generative AI potential antitrust violations
- Wisconsin cuts $750 million from State broadband budget
- The White House Releases Roadmap to Enhance Internet Routing Security: Recommendations included
- OBD Updates OBD BEAD-related training and updates
- OBD Updates Sep 25: Task Force Mtg notes, funds for Native Entities, Office Hours Sep 26
- Recommendations for prioritizing safety in and around digital equity
- Rhode Island runs into unexpected hiccups with BEAD funding
- Notes from BEAD Challenge weekly office hours Sep 12: next meeting Sep 26
- Broadband Matters Sep 11 2024: Meeting and travel updates
- Benton Institute releases report to help local governments prepare for BEAD deployment
- Notes from BEAD Challenge weekly office hours Sep 5: timelines – no build expected until 2026
Vendor/Technology News
- Midco ACAM misclassification costs other ISPs subsidy support in MN
- Starlink charges $100 “congestion charge” – MN not listed in states with extra charge
- CTC Partners with CWA to Implement Broadband JATC-Upper Midwest Apprenticeship Program
- AT&T working with 4 open access fiber companies including Ubiquity in Minnesota
- Paul Bunyan Communications celebrates 10 years of GigaZone All-Fiber Optic Network in Northern MN
- Does promotional broadband pricing make sense to broadband providers today?
- Verizon to acquire Frontier
- Will your county be eligible for the $9 million in the FCC 5G Plan for Rural America subsidies?
Local Broadband News
Aitkin County
Aitkin County Commissioners meet to discuss the McGrath Broadband project
Paul Bunyan Communications Aitkin County Broadband Expansion Update
Bloomington (Hennepin County)
Bloomington updates on various fiber builds in the area
St Louis County
Mediacom Communications Completes First Phase of St. Louis County Fiber Build
Paul Bunyan Communications St. Louis County Broadband Expansion Update
Upcoming Events, Opportunities and Resources
- October 29 – MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
- Nov 18: Black Broadband Summit in North Mpls
- November 26 – MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
- December 17 – MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
- OPPORTUNITY: Wireline Competition Bureau Seeks Nominations for Eight Board Member Positions (Due Oct 28)
- OPPORTUNITY: Beginning Farmer Equipment and Infrastructure Grant Program Deadline Nov 21
- OPPORTUNITY: FCC Opens Cybersecurity Pilot Program for Schools and Libraries Application Window (Deadline Nov 4)