Comment on OBD’s Draft of Minnesota’s Final Proposal
The Office of Broadband Development released their Draft Final BEAD Proposal last week. They held an online meeting to discuss the draft before it was released and have planned a series of meetings this week around the state to talk to folks about the proposal. (See dates and times below.) The first meeting was in Hutchinson last Friday. OBD is looking for public comment on the draft on or before September 3 before they make changes and resubmit the draft to NTIA.
The MN Broadband Task Force met at Farmfest
The MN Broadband Task Force met at Farmfest. They heard from folks who have been (or still are) living on the slow end of the broadband divide. There was an interesting push-pull conversation about precision agriculture and the growing need for data and the ability to process it with the energy it requires and the possible impact on local water. One of the benefits of holding the meeting at Farmfest was the interest from local media.
State News
- MN Office of Broadband Development speaks with Broadband Breakfast
- Impact of BEAD changes on the states depends on the state – in MN 22,000 locations didn’t get bids
- Good news, bad news: An update of broadband in Tribal Areas including some in Minnesota
- “Digital literacy isn’t a luxury. It’s health care access…” Op Ed in Star Tribune
- MN Star Tribune says experts predict MN will miss 2026 goal for total broadband access
Federal
- AI applications for rural broadband providers
- AARP collects stories on how seniors are using broadband and the impact of losing ACP funds
- Reports comparing social media use and mental health in rural youth vs suburban and urban youth
- Economist Paul Krugman recognizes the tension between data needs and energy limitations
- American Society of Civil Engineers grade US broadband and offers recommendations for improvement
- Computer ownership is top priority for “successful internet access”
- Broadband advocates urge the FCC to continue assessing broadband affordability and adoption
Vendor/Technology News
- AT&T acquires wireless spectrum licenses from EchoStar for $23 billion
- Essentia Health asks Congress to extend Medicare coverage for telehealth services
- Vibrant Broadband chooses Ribbon Communications for middle-mile network solution
- Charter execs face class action after $9 billion stock drop linked to loss of ACP for subscribers
- Conversation on T-Mobile buying US Internet on Connect This
- AOL is unplugging its dialup service on Sep 30, 2025
- T-Mobile is set to acquire US Internet
- Lumen Reports more than $900 million in Q2 2025 losses
Office of Broadband Development Updates and News:
- MN Office of Broadband Development Update: BEAD Final Proposal and upcoming meetings (Aug 28)
- From Office of Broadband Development: Minnesota Releases Draft Proposed for Federal Broadband Funding Package
- Office of Broadband Development Updates: Upcoming events and BEAD & Line Extension updates (Aug 13)
- NTIA tells states not to lower broadband costs or risk BEAD funding
- Latest BEAD “Benefit of the Bargain” grant round left 22,000 of the 76,000 eligible locations without a first-round bid
- Office of Broadband Development Update: Direct negotiation for the restructured BEAD round, open until Aug 8 (Aug 5)
Local Broadband News
Cottage Grove
The FCC is looking for comments about Cottage Grove’s rights-of-way contract with one provider
Fairmont County
Fairmont County Commission looks at 2026 budget – broadband is discussed as an investment
Itasca and St Louis Counties
Broadband Communities reports on progress of Paul Bunyan Communications in Itasca and St. Louis counties
McLeod County
Mediacom Communications launches multi-gig service in Howard Lake and Winsted, Minnesota (McLeod County)
Nobles County
Lismore Telephone and Nobles County kick of FTTP project funded by ReConnect and MN State Grants
North St Paul
North St Paul experiences cyberattack
Pine City
Office of Broadband Development visits ECE in Pine City (Pine County)
Superior (WI)
Publicly-owned ConnectSuperior now open for business in Superior WI
Upcoming Events, Opportunities and Resources
- EVENT Sep 2, 9—10am, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), Owatonna, 525 Florence Ave, Owatonna, MN.
- EVENT Sep 2, 3:30—4:30pm, Northwest Minnesota Foundation (NWMF), Bemidji, 201 3rd Street NW Bemidji, MN.
- EVENT Sep 3, 9—10am, West Central Initiative Foundation (WCIF), Fergus Falls, 1000 Western Ave, Fergus Falls, MN.
- EVENT Sep 3, 3—4pm, Northspan, Duluth, 202 West Superior Street, Suite 600, Duluth, MN.
- EVENT SEP 10: What’s Next for Broadband in MN with Gigi Sohn and Christopher Mitchell
- EVENT Sep 10: Webinar: Sustainable Computer Ownership Strategies for Rural Communities
- 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: Presidential AI Challenge – a sort of hackfest for students