MN Broadband Task Force September 2025
The MN Broadband Task Force heard from Communication Service for the Deaf and The Pew Charitable Trusts and got a view from the frontlines and researchers. The big news with BEAD is that they have announced their “threshold” bid. That’s the bid that makes them look closer at a bid per location, or ask the bidder to make changes or it might even pragmatically indicate that a project will not get funded – depending on how over the threshold it is. Locations that are not able to lower the bid to meet the BEAD threshold may go to satellite.
State News
- Still no resolution on Digital Discrimination Case Minnesota Telecom Alliance v. FCC
- Both Rep Pete Stauber and Rep Kelly Morrison talk to House Small Business Committee about rural broadband
- States Revise Tentative BEAD Awards: MN must work on bids over $10,000 per passing
- US-wide BEAD award has been 46 percent of original allocation – in MN that was 58 percent
- MN Tools to promote Application for Educational Benefits – including Internet and utility discounts
- Minnesota maintains highest possible bond rating
- Can better broadband help girls in rural MN become better math students?
- Senator Jeremy Miller will not run for reelection – helped with broadband in the past
- The Broadband Equity Project: Minneapolis gap between broadband availability and adoption
Federal
- Impact of Government on telecom and broadband
- Is BEAD looking like RODF?
- FCC votes to end discounts for library Wi-Fi hotspot lending and school bus connectivity
- How are BEAD changes impacting the fiber versus satellite breakdown in Wisconsin?
- Connected Nation creates interactive BEAD tracker
- Conference discussion on the trials and tribulations of BEAD applications and processing
- Research shows rural broadband deployment positively affected employment
- Understanding broadband affordability in context of community, location and income
- Major telecom threat thwarted as leaders gathered at UN headquarters in New York
- TC Business looks at Minnesota’s investment in broadband
- Benton looks at Achieving Affordability: State Strategies for Getting Everyone Online
- Recent conference panel: How are new data center deployments driving additional fiber deployment?
- Unintended tax law changes in 2017 mean BEAD grants will be taxable
- The FCC to look into wireless access to municipal/community rights-of-way
- Connected Nation unveils their interactive BEAD Tracker
- NTIA reports 36 out of 56 states and territories have submitted BEAD proposals
- FCC introduces a ruling that would jeopardize funding for Wi-Fi on school buses
- Healthcare associations urge Congress to extend the hospital-at-home program
- Rural Broadband Cooperatives ask US Congress to rethink the Universal Service Fund
- US House Approves Undersea Cable Control Act
- Satellite is a sticky wicket in state BEAD plans
Vendor/Technology News
- Paul Bunyan Communications Returns over $3.6 million to Members
- Jim Baller recognized by Broadband Communities for Lifetime Achievement
- Gigapower, the open access fiber venture, to expand in 6 states, including MN
- Vibrant Broadband spread broadband in rural MN with hybrid fiber and fixed wireless infrastructure
- Arvig Named to Prairie Business 50 Best Places to Work List for 2025
- Connected Nation finds 30 percent of rural households are internet insecure
- Amazon: Project Kuiper ready to provide satellite service in six months
- Why did US Internet decide to sell to T-Mobile?
- Arvig turns 75: from phones to fiber
- Comcast has more winning BEAD applications (so far) compared to other large wireline operators
- Arvig promotes Lifeline Awareness Week
- T-Mobile and KKR acquire US Internet and Metronet
Office of Broadband Development Updates and News:
- State Office of Broadband are in a tough place with BEAD deadlines, budgets and expectations
- Office of Broadband Development Update Sep 24, 2025: BEAD mapping and Line Extension
- Office of Broadband Development Office hours Sep 24: BEAD updates and federal permitting
- Office of Broadband Development Updates: Task Force meets Sep 22, BIA has sessions for Tribal Networks
- OBD Updates Sep 8: BEAD final draft is in and comment period is closed
Local Broadband News
Aitkin County
Stacy Cluff, IT & Broadband Manager, MLEC on Aitkin County Podcast NaturallyBetter
Elk River and Otsego
Gateway Fiber building FTTH to Elk River and Otsego (Wright and Sherburne Counties)
Hatfield
Woodstock Communications Deploys FTTP in Hatfield (Pipestone County) with MN State Grant
Itasca and St Louis Counties
Broadband Expansion Continues in Itasca and St. Louis Counties
Le Sueur County
Broadband Breakfast reports on Gigi Sohn’s visit to Minnesota
Gigi Sohn: From Crumbs to Connections: Minnesota’s Broadband Future
MN Public Broadband Alliance meeting Sep 2025: Preparing for the future of BEAD in MN
Moorhead
Gateway Fiber expands fiber into Moorhead (Clay County)
Sandy Pike and Wuori Township
Paul Bunyan Communications completes broadband expansion in Sandy Pike, & Wuori Townships (St Louis County)
Superior WI
ConnectSuperior sees 10 percent uptake in the first 2 months of service
Winona
Government shutdown disrupts telehealth at Winona Health
Wright County
Spectrum expands fiber access in Wright County with help from MN Broadband Grant
Upcoming Events, Opportunities and Resources
- 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