The MN Broadband Task Force did not meet in July. They will be meeting at Farmfest on August 6. There a couple other meetings  that may be of interest to broadband folks:

• Minnesota Public Broadband Alliance MPBA; hosts a meeting on September 10, speakers include Gigi Sohn and Christopher Mitchell.
• The Rural Assembly Everywhere 2025 happens on September 17

It’s been a busy summer with the Office of Broadband Development hosting weekly meetings about BEAD funding and many providers working on their applications. August may be an anxious month as folks wait to hear updates on the grant applications and any changes in federal policy. In the meantime, you can read below about the providers and communities that are continuing to work on broadband improvements.

State News   

• The FCC announces former RDOF areas that are now eligible for other funding including Lumen locations in Minnesota
• Governor Walz Celebrates Agriculture Bill
• Minnesota Consumer Data Privacy Act starts July 31, 2025
• Legislative investments will benefit MN Ag Community: including th eweather network
• Telecompetitor’s BEAD update in Minnesota
• MN has invested $400 million in broadband; federal investment has been more complicated
• Minnesota plans to include warning labels on social media sites

Federal

• 73 percent of US adults have experienced some kind of online scam or attack
• The FCC still looking at 100/20 speed benchmark and abolishing the long-term goal of 1,000/500
• The National Governors Association makes broadband a priority
• The White House smooths the path for data centers
• FCC takes action to remove barriers to broadband deployment and investment
• What a federal grant pause means for the digital divide in US schools – from Benton Institute for Broadband & Society
• White House unveils America’s AI action plan
• US Senate confirms Arielle Roth to lead the NTIA
• US Senate Committee on Appropriations approves Ag Bill with $96 million for rural broadband grants and loans
• Will the recent One Big Beautiful Bill Act leave low-income households choosing between food or broadband?
• What data is available about broadband access and adoption?
• What are the costs to families that lost access to Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) broadband subsidies?
• US Senate passes Klobuchar’s broadband bill – asking FCC to use vetting process for providers getting funding
• FCC extends (again) pause of Lifeline Mobile data increase and voice phase-out

Vendor/Technology News

• Paul Bunyan Communications returning more than $3.6 million to members
• Hiawatha Broadband and others are consolidated to become Schurz Communications
• A view of BEAD changes from a fiber manufacturer via NPR’s Marketplace
• CenturyLink defaults on 41,000 RDOF locations after BEAD maps are updated
• Quantum Fiber talks about how older buildings can work on getting FTTP
• PCs for People Introduces CONNECT FWA/Wired Service and pre-qualified for BEAD funding in MN
• Paul Bunyan’s Smartphone resurfaces after legendary storm
• T-Mobile ends DEI programs as it seeks regulatory approval from the FCC

Office of Broadband Development Updates and News:

• Office of Broadband Development and Legislators visit East Central Energy fiber network in Pine City
• Office of Broadband Development Updates July 30, 2025: BEAD and Line Extension
• MN Office of Broadband Development: July 22 Priority Broadband Projects and more (includes video)
• Office of Broadband Development Updates: BEAD applications are open
• Office of Broadband Development Office Hours July 15: Application Portal is open (includes video)
• Office of Broadband Development Office Hours July 8 2025: Updates on application requirements (includes video)
• Office of Broadband Development Updates: BEAD updates, upcoming meetings, staff changes
• Office of Broadband Development Office Hours July 1 2025: hoping to get BEAD applications open by July 14 (includes video)

Local Broadband News

Cottage Grove
Gateway Fiber will deploy fiber to Cottage Grove (Washington County)

Dakota County
Getting creative in Dakota County’s iLABs

Duluth
Duluth News Tribune on state and federal broadband policy

Itasca and St. Louis Counties
Paul Bunyan Communications Update: Broadband Expansion Progressing in Itasca and St. Louis Counties
Paul Bunyan Communications updates on expansion in St. Louis & Itasca County

Martin County
Martin County Broadband Partnership provides update to Martin County Board of Commissioners

Northeast MN
The Timberjay looks at impact of federal broadband changes in NE MN

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

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

St Paul
Minnesota National Guard assists city of St. Paul after cyberattack

Wright County
Wright County tells community about MN Broadband Line Extension grants

Upcoming Events, Opportunities and Resources

• EVENT Aug 6: Broadband Task Force meets at Farmfest
• EVENT Aug 25-26: AscendRural Regional Symposium
• EVENT SEP 10: What’s Next for Broadband in MN with Gigi Sohn and Christopher Mitchell
• EVENT Sep 17: Rural Assembly Everywhere 2025
• 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 18 MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
• OPPORTUNITY: Libraries Without Borders US is looking for library partner
• OPPORTUNITY: Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians hosts Tribal Broadband Boot Camp Aug. 18-21
• OPPORTUNITY: Broadband Infrastructure grants from IRRR
• OPPORTUNITY: Universal Service Fund (USF) Working Group – Request for Comment