Happy 4th of July
MN Broadband Task Force June 2025: Digital Inclusion program in St Paul
The MN Broadband Task Force heard from digital equity workers from Neighborhood House, a nonprofit in St Paul that works with people in need. Also, Bree Maki, from the Office of Broadband Development, gave an update on BEAD.
MN Legislators extend many tax breaks for tech companies
In a special session, the Minnesota Legislature passed a bipartisan that extends tax breaks for some technology companies. However, they also decided to revoke the sales tax exemption on electricity bills.
NTIA changes to the BEAD requirements
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration released changes to the original Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program including a focus on technology neutrality and lowest costs.
State News
- State Broadband Offices, including MN, concerned about BEAD changes
- Losing Digital Equity Act funding will impact Minnesota
- Legislature agrees on budgets and bill in one-day special session – including increased in tax for data centers
- Lumen Defaults on More Than 41,000 RDOF Locations – including those in Minnesota
- Legislature’s Monday special session aims to finish the budget
Federal
- Supreme Court finds Universal Service Fund contribution scheme and management were Constitutional
- Sen Klobuchar with more than 40 Members of the House and Senate ask the Trump Administration to reverse course and fully implement broadband
- WI Governor asks WI Legislature to approve broadband funding in WI
- Benton Institute for Broadband & Society on the impact of policy and broadband adoption
- US House moves to restore ReConnect Funding for 2026
- State Broadband Offices plan to work with BEAD – including MN’s OBD
- Looking at BEAD changes from the County Perspective from Doug Dawson
- Proposed changes to federal tax bill would deny states federal funding for broadband if they regulate AI
- State broadband leaders react to BEAD goal of awarding cheapest cost per user
- Big changes expected as another FCC Commissioner resigns
- States, including Minnesota, talk about impact of BEAD uncertainty
Vendor/Technology News
- Lumen RDOF defaults include 3,265 locations in MN for a total default of $15.6M
- Do satellite providers get more time to meet BEAD speed requirements than other broadband providers?
- Tremolo Communications unites four MN broadband providers in a common vision
- Trump announces new Trump Phone and Trump Mobile 5G
- WISPA tells members to update their unlicensed fixed wireless coverage with FCC maps to prep for BEAD
- The FCC denies LTD Broadband’s appeal earlier RDOF decision
- Midco Acquires SCI Broadband
- Fiber Connect panel finds fiber deployment problems stem from construction and permits
-
Street Insider features broadband provider Bevcomm in Blue Earth MN
-
Doug Dawson on impact of BEAD changes on broadband and broadband adjacent industries
Office of Broadband Development Updates and News:
- Office of Broadband Development Office Hours June 24, 2025: BEAD Pre-qualification is open
- OBD Updates: BEAD, Line Extension and Future Office Hours
- Office of Broadband Development Updates: BEAD Updates & June 17 Office Hours
- Office of Broadband Development Updates: Line Extension & Telecommuter Forward!
Local Broadband News
Bemidji
Paul Bunyan Communications weathered the storm – literally
Hinckley
ECE expands broadband from east of Hinckley to the Wisconsin border (Pine County)
Itasca and St Louis Counties
Paul Bunyan Communications broadband expansion updates in Itasca and St. Louis Counties
Martin County
Federated Broadband Holds Groundbreaking For Martin County Fiber Project
Webster and Elko New Market
Mediacom brings Gig+ service to Webster and Elko New Market (Rice and Scott Counties)
Upcoming Events, Opportunities and Resources
- August 21 MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
- September 17 MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
- October 15 MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
- November 13 MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
- December 18MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
- OPPORTUNITY: Applications are now open for TechCongress January 2026 Congressional Fellowships
- OPPORTUNITIES: Apply to be a 2025 Digital Inclusion Fellow
- Connect Humanity: Investment capital for community-focused broadband projects
- OPPORTUNITY: Net Inclusion 2026 Call for Proposals