Monthly Archives: July 2025

Sign up now in Breitung MN for FTHH for free installation (St Louis County)

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The Timberjay reports…

At their July 15 meeting, the Breitung Town Board emphasized the importance for residents to sign up for broadband internet service where it will soon be available, including the areas around Hoodoo Point, Puncher Point, and Mallard Drive.
Chairman Matt Tuchel said this is everyone’s “opportunity to get this installed free, under the grant. If they do not do that and wait, they will have to pay that installation fee which could be as much as $5,000-$10,000, depending on terrain and how they have to run the line. It can be a significant savings when it’s covered under the grant but they need to sign up.”
Tuchel asked that residents get in touch with their neighbors to make sure they’ve signed up. Almost 200 residences have signed up so far.
Every household in the eligible neighborhoods should have been contacted to sign up by now. If you haven’t been contacted or are unsure if your home is in the service area, call the town hall. Construction to lay the fiber lines will begin on July 28.
In the project’s next phase, the board hopes to get broadband to Echo Point and McKinley Park Acres. These areas were previously planned to get broadband but installing fiber through these areas, which has extensive bedrock, proved too expensive. The board, along with other municipalities, CTC and Lake Country Power are exploring the possibility of having fiber internet brought in on power lines.
To complete the project, a study is required which will cost $175,000. The money will come from Breitung Township, Beatty Township, Greenwood Township, Vermilion Lake Township, the new Goodwill Township, and the city of Tower. Breitung’s share would be 10.65-percent, serving 108 addresses.
Breitung estimated their cost of the study would be $18,637.

FCC takes action to remove barriers to broadband deployment and investment

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The FCC reports…

The Federal Communications Commission today approved updates to its pole attachment rules that will make it easier and faster to deploy broadband networks.  This action supports Chairman Carr’s Build America Agenda objective to unleash high-speed infrastructure and get America building again.

The FCC’s pole attachment rules prescribe processes and timelines that attachers and pole owners must follow when telecom crews attach communications infrastructure to those poles.  Increased funding for broadband projects has led to extensive new deployments in recent years, resulting in a significant increase in attachment applications for large numbers of utility poles.

For too long, a lack of standard rules and timelines for processing large broadband deployment orders have slowed rollouts and led to costly disputes.  By encouraging communications companies and pole owners to collaborate on larger broadband deployments and by providing more concrete timelines, today’s action will remove barriers to deployment, encourage investment, and help achieve high-speed broadband availability for all Americans, consistent with the spirit and intent of Section 224.

In December 2023, the Commission adopted the Fourth Report and Order, Declaratory Ruling, and Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in which it took steps to make the pole attachment process faster, more transparent, and more cost-effective and sought comment on additional actions it could take to prevent delays and other challenges to broadband deployment. Today’s actions move these proposals forward.  Today’s item will also seek comment on whether light poles are covered by Section 224 of the Communications Act.

Action by the Commission July 24, 2025 by Fifth Report and Order, Fourth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and Orders on Reconsideration (FCC 25-38).  Chairman Carr, Commissioners Gomez and Trusty approving.  Chairman Carr and Commissioner Trusty issuing separate statements.

What Federal Grant Pause Means for the Digital Divide in U.S. Schools – from Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

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The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society has done a nice breakdown of the impact on federal funding cuts to schools…

On Monday, June 30, the U.S. Department of Education notified states that it was withholding over $6 billion in previously approved federal education grants. In the message pausing the distribution of the grants—which should have been available to states on July 1—the Department wrote, “Given the change in Administrations, the Department is reviewing the FY 2025 funding for the [Title I-C, II-A, III-A, IV-A, IV-B] grant program(s), and decisions have not yet been made concerning submissions and awards for this upcoming year.” Notably, the funding was committed in the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2025 (H.R.1968), which President Donald Trump signed into law on March 15, 2025.

The five paused grants provide a variety of support to states, districts, and schools, and, combined, make up at least 10 percent of federal K-12 funding for every state in the U.S. Four of the five grants—Title I-C, Title III-A, Title IV-A, and Title IV-B—were specifically highlighted in a 2023 Dear Colleague letter and the 2024 National Education Technology Plan (NETP) as potential funding sources to support digital learning for better student outcomes. Both the 2023 Dear Colleague Letter and the 2024 National Education Technology Plan came from the Department of Education’s Office of Educational Technology, which was eliminated in March 2025 as part of a federal reduction-in-force.

After weeks of widespread and bipartisan outcry, including letters from Congressional Democrats and Republicans and a 24-state lawsuit, the Administration backed down—partially. On July 18, Sen Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), who led the Republican letter demanding the funds be released, announced that Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought told her one of the grants, Title IV, Part B, would be released.

The rest of the article details the grants, their goals and the impact of their loss.

White House Unveils America’s AI Action Plan

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The White House reports…

The White House today released “Winning the AI Race: America’s AI Action Plan”, in accordance with President Trump’s January executive order on Removing Barriers to American Leadership in AI. Winning the AI race will usher in a new golden age of human flourishing, economic competitiveness, and national security for the American people.

The Plan identifies over 90 Federal policy actions across three pillars – Accelerating Innovation, Building American AI Infrastructure, and Leading in International Diplomacy and Security – that the Trump Administration will take in the coming weeks and months.

Key policies in the AI Action Plan include:

  • Exporting American AI: The Commerce and State Departments will partner with industry to deliver secure, full-stack AI export packages – including hardware, models, software, applications, and standards – to America’s friends and allies around the world.
  • Promoting Rapid Buildout of Data Centers: Expediting and modernizing permits for data centers and semiconductor fabs, as well as creating new national initiatives to increase high-demand occupations like electricians and HVAC technicians.
  • Enabling Innovation and Adoption: Removing onerous Federal regulations that hinder AI development and deployment, and seek private sector input on rules to remove.
  • Upholding Free Speech in Frontier Models: Updating Federal procurement guidelines to ensure that the government only contracts with frontier large language model developers who ensure that their systems are objective and free from top-down ideological bias.

“America’s AI Action Plan charts a decisive course to cement U.S. dominance in artificial intelligence. President Trump has prioritized AI as a cornerstone of American innovation, powering a new age of American leadership in science, technology, and global influence. This plan galvanizes Federal efforts to turbocharge our innovation capacity, build cutting-edge infrastructure, and lead globally, ensuring that American workers and families thrive in the AI era. We are moving with urgency to make this vision a reality,” said White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios.

“Artificial intelligence is a revolutionary technology with the potential to transform the global economy and alter the balance of power in the world. To remain the leading economic and military power, the United States must win the AI race. Recognizing this, President Trump directed us to produce this Action Plan. To win the AI race, the U.S. must lead in innovation, infrastructure, and global partnerships. At the same time, we must center American workers and avoid Orwellian uses of AI. This Action Plan provides a roadmap for doing that,” said AI and Crypto Czar David Sacks.

“Winning the AI Race is non-negotiable. America must continue to be the dominant force in artificial intelligence to promote prosperity and protect our economic and national security. President Trump recognized this at the beginning of his administration and took decisive action by commissioning this AI Action Plan. These clear-cut policy goals set expectations for the Federal Government to ensure America sets the technological gold standard worldwide, and that the world continues to run on American technology,” said Secretary of State and Acting National Security Advisor Marco Rubio.

Learn more at AI.Gov.

 

EVENT Sep 17: Rural Assembly Everywhere 2025

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From the folks as Rural Assembly…

Join us on Sept. 17 for Rural Assembly Everywhere 2025, a free virtual gathering for rural leaders, community members, advocates, and allies.
This year’s theme A Bigger Pie: Cultivating Abundance in a Time of Scarcity is an invitation to imagine new ways to expand opportunity, share resources, and build a more connected, thriving rural America.

Sign up now to connect, learn, and build stronger rural communities.

Register Now

Getting creative in Dakota County’s iLABs

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Dakota County shares…

iLABs offer technology and craft tools to help residents of all ages and interests. iLABs provide technology and equipment that some residents may not have access to due to availability, high costs or other factors.

Using the iLAB

Whether it’s digitizing old family photos, making a dress, creating a 3D object or trying new technology for the first time, the library’s iLAB Creative Spaces offer residents a convenient place to explore, create and learn.

Dakota County residents can make all kinds of projects in an iLAB anytime they want during regular library hours for free. We offer classes and online tutorials to help you get familiar with the equipment as well as one-on-one appointments with staff or volunteers. You can reserve equipment through the library’s online reservation system for up to four hours at a time.

I just love the idea of it. It’s like a makerspace 2.0, where it feels open to everyone in the area.

 

US Senate confirms Arielle Roth to lead the NTIA

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Broadband Breakfast reports…

The Senate confirmed Arielle Roth by a 52-42 vote Wednesday to lead the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

Roth’s confirmation was supported by all present Republicans and Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa. All other present Democrats voted against Roth. Her confirmation came a week after Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., teed up her nomination on the Senate floor, and proceeded smoothly despite Sen. Jacky Rosen’s, D-Nev., best efforts to delay the process.

Roth’s confirmation was supported by all present Republicans and Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa. All other present Democrats voted against Roth. Her confirmation came a week after Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., teed up her nomination on the Senate floor, and proceeded smoothly despite Sen. Jacky Rosen’s, D-Nev., best efforts to delay the process.

MN Office of Broadband Development: July 22 Priority Broadband Projects and more

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Almost 30 people attended the session. You can see the slides and video below. It was a quick update. No one had questions about the process. It seems that folks must be in the thick if it with completing applications and/or answering questions about the applications.

Question

Minnesota and the OBD has achieved much in the past 10 years.  Is there anything you might request from us to better support your good efforts?
We are looking for letters of support. We are collecting them to share with federal funders and legislators.

From the Chat:

Added 2 hours after original posting:

From a follow up email:

We are following up to let you know an updated FAQs from this session is available on the OBD BEAD webpage, and we will link to that document here: https://mn.gov/deed/assets/bead-frequently-asked-questions-july-22-2025_tcm1045-699208.pdf.

EVENT July 29: Twin Cities Broadband Cooperative

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From Twin Cities Broadband Cooperative (TCBC)…

Twin Cities Broadband Cooperative

On Tuesday, July 29th from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM, learn about the Twin Cities Broadband Cooperative’s mission to bring affordable, high-speed internet to our communities through community ownership. This event explores how locally controlled broadband can address digital inequities and build stronger neighborhoods.

Location: 3805 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407

What is TCBC?

Twin Cities Broadband Cooperative (TCBC) is a community-owned internet provider dedicated to closing the digital divide through equitable, locally controlled infrastructure. We reinvest in our neighborhoods to support long-term economic and educational equity.

PCs for People Introduces CONNECT FWA/Wired Service and pre-qualified for BEAD funding in MN

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Telecompetitor reports…

PCs for People, a nonprofit that describes itself as promoting digital inclusion, has introduced CONNECT, a fixed wireless service (FWA) and wired service.

The FWA element of CONNECT uses 5G and 4G LTE networking. The 5G service delivers download speeds as fast as 280 Mbps and uploads as fast as 80 Mbps. On the 4G/LTE side, the service runs as fast as 50 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload speeds.

The new PC for People CONNECT service provides wired symmetrical 100 Mbps connectivity through a multiple dwelling unit (MDU) service.

Costs are “a fraction of the cost of traditional Internet providers,” the organization says. “We believe access to the internet is access to opportunity,” PCs for People CEO Casey Sorensen said in a press release about the new service. “With CONNECT, we’re doubling down on our mission to expand affordable, reliable internet in communities that have historically been underserved.”

The organization was founded in 2008. It claims to have connected more than one million people — including more than 3,000 MDUs — and deployed hundreds of FWA access towers. PCs for People said it plans to enroll 11,000 people in Cuyahoga County, Ohio in the new CONNECT service by the end of September.

In April, PCs for People was cleared by the FCC to apply for funding in Minnesota in the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program.

Mediacom expands multi-gig service to parts of Renville, Sibley, Carver and McLeod Counties

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Light Reading reports…

Mediacom Communications today announced the company has launched multi-gig and symmetrical speed broadband services to nearly 5,500 households located in the rural Minnesota communities of Fairfax, Gibbon, Gaylord, Norwood Young America, Hamburg, Stewart, Lake Marion and Winthrop.

Utilizing breakthrough technology to enhance the company’s fiber-powered network, Mediacom has created a more responsive end-to-end customer experience that prioritizes faster upload and download speeds, uncompromised network reliability, safe and secure connections, and lower latency.

Paul Bunyan’s Smartphone Resurfaces After Legendary Storm

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I just can’t resist a little broadband humor, nor can I resist folks who can find humor after what really was a legendary storm…

After decades of rumors, tall tales, and speculation, an iconic piece of Paul Bunyan lore has finally surfaced—literally.
In the wake of the devastating storm that struck Bemidji in the early morning hours of June 21, powerful waves unearthed a massive object near one of Paul’s favorite winter fishing holes. By dawn, that object—a 100-pound smartphone belonging to Paul Bunyan himself—had washed up on shore, reigniting one of northern Minnesota’s most beloved legends.
Thanks to the quick action of locals, the colossal phone was safely recovered and brought to the Bemidji Tourist Information Center. With years of underwater wear, it needed some serious TLC. Locals did what anyone would: they placed it in the largest bowl of rice they could find, then rushed it to Paul Bunyan Communications for expert restoration.
Miraculously, the phone is fully operational again—though the lake sadly wiped Paul’s camera roll clean. Visitors are invited to snap a selfie with the massive device, leave Paul a message, and sign his digital guestbook. Help refill his camera roll and be part of this new chapter in the Bunyan legend—one legendary photo at a time.

“Paul’s giant smartphone adds a whole new twist to his legend and gives visitors a chance to be part of the story. We can’t wait to see the photos, messages, and smiles this larger-than-life addition brings to our community and all those visiting the area.” said Josh Peterson, Executive Director of Visit Bemidji.
“It’s only fitting that our namesake’s smartphone would be repaired by our cooperative. Not only are we Paul Bunyan Communications, but we are also northern Minnesota Certified Apple Service Center. We were thrilled to help restore Paul’s phone and bring it back to life for everyone to enjoy!” said Brian Bissonette, Paul Bunyan Communications Marketing Supervisor.
Now, thanks to a partnership between Visit Bemidji and Paul Bunyan Communications, Paul’s giant smartphone is proudly on display at the Bemidji Tourist Information Center for all to enjoy. A special thanks to Meyer’s Signs and Graphics as well, they had the tough task of building a new phone case for Paul’s super-sized smartphone.

Office of Broadband Development Updates: BEAD applications are open

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From the Office of Broadband Development…

Broadband Matters: Office of Broadband Development Updates

  • Restructured BEAD Round, grantor portal OPEN
  • Broadband Task Force, August meeting plans
  • Minnesota featured, Bridging the Digital Divide; Planning Innovate State and Local Approaches
  • Line Extension Connection Program

Restructured BEAD Round, grantor portal OPEN

On July 8, 2025 NTIA approved Minnesota’s IP BEAD Correction Letter. This approval allowed OBD to move forward with the updated list of eligible locations (6/30/2025) and open the grantor portal on July 14 for prequalified applicants to submit applications for the Restructured BEAD Round, compliant with the updated changes to the NTIA’s June 6 Restructuring BEAD Policy Notice. The grantor portal will remain open through July 24, 1:30pm CST. 

Register today for the additional office hours session, scheduled Tuesday July 22 at 11am. This session will not be recorded and will be a time to answer questions on the BEAD application.

Access to and resources on the grantor portal are available on the OBD BEAD webpage, including: 

Broadband Task Force, August meeting plans 

The Broadband Task Force will be meeting on Wednesday, August 6 from 2:30-4pm in Redwood County at the Minnesota Farmfest. This meeting will be held in-person and is open to anyone from the public to attend, however, tickets are required to enter Farmfest. Members of the public with questions about attending should email deed.broadband@state.mn.us or call 651-259-7610 no later than Monday July 28. 

More information on this and past meetings can be found on the Broadband Task Force webpage. 

Minnesota featured, Bridging the Digital Divide; Planning Innovate State and Local Approaches 

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s OBD, community partners, internet service providers, and broadband leaders across the state were featured in the newly published, Bridging the Digital Divide in the US Planning Innovative State and Local Approaches. The book presents a multi-level governance framework which explores how local leaders use policy opportunity and community resilience to address inequity in broadband infrastructure, and Chapter 4 presents “Minnesota – An Early Leader In Addressing Rural Broadband” by Y. Edward Guo, Elizabeth H. Redmond, and Mildred E. Warner.   

The book has been made available as an Open Access PDF or e-book and is available for free download.  

Line Extension Connection Program

The Minnesota Line Extension Connection Program aims to connect residents and businesses that lack access to wired broadband internet service with service providers and assist in the expense of extending broadband to those locations.

Owners of residential and business locations lacking a wired internet connection with access to actual speeds equal to or greater than 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload, can submit their address location for bid consideration by entering their information into the Line Extension Connection portal to initiate their interest in receiving broadband internet service. Applicants should complete every applicable question including providing additional comments that will help explain the critical need of broadband for the household/business, including any barriers. More information on how to submit an application via portal, phone, or mail is available on the OBD Line Extension Connection webpage.

Legislative investments will benefit MN Ag Community: including weather network

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Morning Ag Clips reports…

Minnesota agriculture is set up for success after a unique legislative session that saw an evenly divided House of Representatives and. split Senate. On May 23, Governor Walz signed the Agriculture and Broadband Development Policy and Finance Bill and the Legacy Finance Bill into law. The Ag Bill funds the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), Minnesota Board of Animal Health and the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, while the Legacy Bill makes major investments in our soil and water resources.

Likely because of the expected federal broadband funding (BEAD), there isn’t a lot of mention of broadband (outside of the committee name) but there is a mention of expanded access to weather information and to optimize use of that information, farmers will want precision ag equipment, software and the broadband to access it in the fields…

The Minnesota Ag Weather Network will continue its expansion with more funding. Soybean growers across the state will have access to real-time weather information as we build the network across central and southern Minnesota.

Office of Broadband Development Office Hours July 15: Application Portal is open

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More than 40 people attended the session. You can see the slides, video and notes below.

Notes:

Questions:

On remove eligible locations. Are they removed from the portal or should we upload a new spreadsheet?
For an existing application – you will want to upload and review updated information and make sure it works.

Is there a specific template for Priority Projects?  Where should that documentation be loaded?
It’s part of section 3 and the network form. You’ll want to upload more network info. (Get more info on page 35.)

In 49 section 12 “This project will include required documentation to be reviewed for consideration as a priority project consistent with NTIA Restructuring Policy Guidance” Has MN DEED defined specific required documentation that needs to be uploaded to satisfy this question?
In section 3 – it’s going to be the network components and project schedule, diagram, map…

Can you give a quick update on line extension? How much funding is there? not funded previously still open applications?

No – hopefully next session.

On Q 48, will a new affidavit be required?
If project doesn’t change – no. Otherwise, yes.

The new applications how have an ORG# and application # that is tied to the uploaded documents. ex…ORG123APP1234 Do we need to use a specific naming convention?
no. It will be automatically assigned. But we like it when it’s easy to recognize

Q 49 “This project will include required documentation to be reviewed for consideration as a priority project consistent with NTIA Restructuring Policy Guidance.” can you explain?
It is asking if you want your project to be reviewed as a priority project

What is format (tools) for the “public comment” process? It would be nice to have a broadband stakeholders call.
Final proposal will be posted – and maybe emailed. Will probably do what we did for the original round.

From the Chat:

OBD BEAD webpage for application resources and Required Templates: https://mn.gov/deed/programs-services/broadband/bead/

Stay up to date by signing up for our biweekly email updates at:
mn.gov/deed/programs-services/broadband/contact/

Submit BEAD questions through the BEAD FAQ Submission Form:
https://forms.office.com/g/jE9EC1Zzpv

Email deed.broaband@state.mn.us