MN Broadband Task Force Oct 2025 – at TelCom Construction Training Center
The MN Broadband Task Force met at TelCom Construction Training Center in Clearwater Minnesota to see various telecom construction tasks in the field. The Task Force subgroups met for the first time to plan for their sections of the annual Task Force report.
Understanding technology and information literacy
In the era of AI emerging and technology changes, it’s helpful to take a step back and assess what to focus on. That’s what Doug Dawson talks about being brave enough to ask the dumb questions – especially with technology. And I took a look at how we can assess the news source we’re looking at online; starting with a checklist.
State News
- Alternative education options are changing the MN learning landscape
- New report: BROADBAND AFFORDABILITY: Assessing the Cost of Broadband for Low-and Moderate Income Communities in Cities
- Legislative Commission on Cybersecurity Oct 27, 2025 Notes: future topics and LoginMN presentation
- Rep Ron Kresha speaks up in support of broadband especially for schools
- A second look at MN County broadband ranking from TC Business Mag
- Minnesota creates portals to track federal spending by school districts and more
Federal
- Pew looks at what Broadband Workforce Expected needs to do to meet BEAD requirements
- US Congress looks at addressing robocalls
- More than 20 percent of BEAD locations will go to satellite and 67 percent will go to fiber
- What about the early morning broadband outage? Some answers about the AWS issues
- The end of paper checks from the Government creates urgency for Digital Inclusion
- One in seven households has no computer at home or relies on a smartphone
- Doug Dawson points out three flaws of BEAD
- FCC Announces Tentative Agenda for October Open Meeting
- AARP reports show some progress in broadband adoption with seniors but still not in line with younger folks
- Research shows rural broadband deployment positively affected employment
- Conference discussion on the trials and tribulations of BEAD applications and processing
- Connected Nation creates interactive BEAD tracker
- Jim Baller recognized by Broadband Communities for Lifetime Achievement
- How are BEAD changes impacting the fiber versus satellite breakdown in Wisconsin?
- FCC votes to end discounts for library Wi-Fi hotspot lending and school bus connectivity
- Is BEAD looking like RODF?
- Impact of Government on telecom and broadband
Vendor/Technology News
- Cable provider Charter Communications announces layoffs
- Bluepeak upgrades broadband connections in Minnesota and South Dakota
- Paul Bunyan Communications Returns over $3.6 million to Members
Office of Broadband Development Updates and News:
- Office of Broadband Update Oct 22: Task Force Meeting, Line Extension and BEAD updates
- Office of Broadband Development Updates Oct 8: Conferences. Line Extension and BEAD Updates
- State Offices of Broadband are in a tough place with BEAD deadlines, budgets and expectations
- ConnectSuperior sees 10 percent uptake in the first 2 months of service
Local Broadband News
Clitherall
Broadband is only reason rural reporter can work for MN Star Tribune
French & Bearville (Sy Louis County)
Paul Bunyan Communications completes broadband expansion in French and Bearville(S) Townships
Golden Valley
More details on the Golden Valley’s upcoming FTTH deployment
Golden Valley MN attracts fiber installation in City right-of-way and easements
Itasca and St Louis Counties
Paul Bunyan Communication expands to Itasca and St. Louis Counties
Mankato
Minnesota State University, Mankato gets advanced wifi for student housing
Moorhead
Gateway Fiber starting broadband construction with ribbon cutting in Moorhead, MN
St. Louis County
St. Louis County summarizes ARPA spending: $54.5 million on landfill, roads, housing, childcare and broadband
Willmar
Willmar Council approves next step in Willmar Connect in split 5-3 vote
Willmar Planning is ready to go out for bids to begin the construction of the open-access
Winona
Government shutdown disrupts telehealth at Winona Health
Wright County
Spectrum expands fiber access in Wright County with help from MN Broadband Grant
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