The 2025 MN Broadband Task Force Annual Report is out!
The Office of Broadband Development and MN Broadband Task Force unveiled the 2025 MN Broadband Task Force Annual Report at the Task Force.  It includes a concise description of progress toward the statutory speed goals Minnesota has made measurable strides: as of 2025, 93.84% of homes and businesses have access to broadband at 25/3 Mbps, and 92.11% can reach speeds of 100/20 Mbps. Yet, more than 121,000 households remain without basic service, and nearly 155,000 are underserved at higher speeds. It also includes recommendations for policymakers.

MN Broadband Task Force Jan 2026: Unveiling the Annual Task Force report
The Broadband Task Force unveiled the Annual Report and presented it to Senator Putnam, Chair of the Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development. They also heard about Minnesota broadband environmental permitting overview.

2026 MN County Profiles – how is your county doing?
A reminder that the MN Broadband County Profiles were posted in late December. Check it out to learn more about your community or see how your county compares to others for access to 100 Mbps down and 20 up, the 2026 MN State speed goal. (You can also learn what you can do with the MN County Broadband Profile.)

State News   

• BroadbandCluster: broadband-related information on counties in MSA’s – including MN counties
• A Minnesota view of Broadband Breakfast’s State BEAD Roundtable session
• Minnesota awarded almost all of requested $200M federal grant to boost rural health care
• 2025 Minnesota Rural Health Policy Summit Report: no mention of broadband
• Federal
• Which jobs and workers are most and least able to thrive with AI?
• 32 million people in the US lack tech tools to access government services
• Carr Proposes New Reforms to Ensure that Only Living and Lawful Americans Participate in Federal Lifeline Program
• The Benton Institute looks at model legislation for a People-First Model Chatbot Bill
• Cold weather points out inadequacies of rural broadband
• Minnesota Legislature sets 2026 committee deadlines
• Pew reports on who subscribes to broadband at home
• Policymakers introduce bipartisan rural broadband access bill
• Broadband Prices Increased in 2025
• Local governments don’t agree with broadband providers views on permitting
• Senators introduce the SUCCESS for BEAD Act authorizing BEAD funds for broadband enhancement

Vendor/Technology News

• SpaceX is looking for exemption from certain BEAD requirements
  NCTA video on disaster recovery for broadband
• Rural broadband is getting better but there are still gaps say’s NTCA’s Shirley Bloomfield
• Doug Dawson has an interesting take on digital literacy with smartphones vs devices
• Starlink plans to lower satellite orbit to enhance safety in 2026

Office of Broadband Development Updates and News:

• Office of Broadband Development Matters (Jan 28, 2026): Updates on Line Extension, annual report and upcoming meetings
• Office of Broadband Development Update Jan 14: Line extension, Task Force meeting dates and BEAD updates

Local Broadband News

Anoka County
A reminder that lack of broadband is still an issue in rural Minnesota (Anoka County)

Balkan
Broadband expansion completed in Balkan (St Louis County)

Bovey
Paul Bunyan Communications completes broadband expansion in City of Bovey (Itasca County)

Hennepin County and Hopkins
NDIA announce 2025 Digital Inclusion Trailblazers including Hennepin County and City of Hopkins

North Star and Pequaywan
North Star and Pequaywan Townships are excited for BEAD funding for broadband (St Louis County)

Pine County
Broadband makes Pine County’s Top 20 2025 list

Pine River
Pine River policymaker says state funding for broadband in near future is unlikely

St Louis County
Rural St Louis County is getting better broadband through BEAD and Mediacom
More on the Broadband in rural St. Louis County

Willmar
Willmar Council votes to accept $7.6M bid to begin broadband deployment
Willmar MN gets nice nod in list of Municipal Networks that Launched in 2025 – for getting so close
Willmar Council to consider awarding bids for Willmar Connect on Jan 20
Willmar City Council delays announcement of Willmar Connect broadband plan
Willmar City Council to decide on broadband plan amidst some criticism

Zimmerman
Zimmerman celebrates “bandwidth revolution is a form of civic power”

Upcoming Events, Opportunities and Resources

• EVENT Feb 3-5: Net Inclusion 2026 in Chicago
• EVENT Feb 4: The future of communications regulation with FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty
•  EVENT Feb 18: MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
• EVENT Mar 9-11: MTA 2026 Annual Convention and Trade Show
• EVENT April 29: MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
• EVENT May 21: MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
• EVENT June 18: MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
• EVENT Aug 13: MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
• EVENT Sept 16: MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
• EVENT Oct 8: MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
• EVENT Nov 12: MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
• EVENT Dec 10: MN Broadband Task Force Meeting

MN Broadband Task Force Meeting Nov 2025: computer ownership and the annual report
The Task Force learned about computer ownership at the last meeting. The Office of Broadband Development (OBD) gave an update on BEAD and other work. OBD is planning a broadband conference on April 29, 2026, at the Heritage Center. The Task Force sub-committee groups met for the second half of the meeting to discuss their annual report, due by the end of the year.

MN Office of Broadband Development Performance Report for 2025
The OBD report details Minnesota’s use of its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Capital Projects Fund (CPF) allocation. OBD administers the broadband infrastructure programs, and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) administers the Community Facilities program.

Data center projects in Minnesota are running into issues
Data Centers have been in the news lately – and on several county and city council agendas. The MN Star Tribune reports…

The influx of data centers has sparked debate over whether the facilities will help or hurt Minnesota’s ambitions for a carbon-free electric grid. Some data center projects have drawn local controversy for their proximity to houses, potential water use and secrecy.

State News   

• Did your county get any of the $20 million in MN Line Extension grants in the last three rounds?
• Report indicates issues with rural healthcare in rural MN – telehealth hs not bridging the gap
• Legislative Commission on Data Practices talks about data privacy, retention, health apps and automated license plate readers
• Minnesota Public Broadband Alliance Meeting: Federal look at BEAD from Gigi Sohn
• Minnesota applies for $1B in rural health care funds to offset Medicaid cuts especially in rural MN
• Some MN families are getting home phones again
• MN schools experience speech pathologist shortage – but telehealth could help
• Minnesota applies for $1 billion for health care support including telehealth
• Senator Tina Smith has broadband questions for Glen Smith, nominee to serve as undersecretary for rural development at the Department of Agriculture

Federal

• What are the economic benefits of broadband to a household?
• House Commerce Democrats tell Administration to implement BEAD Congress intended
• White House launches the Genesis Mission to promote and support AI
• Bipartisan bill to fast-track broadband expansion by smoothing access to rights of way
• Senator introduces bill to strengthen communications access on tribal lands
• The FCC and Congress make moves to streamline broadband permitting at federal level
• Digital equity advocates ask Congress to release the Affordable Connectivity Program
• Research shows that seniors are least apt to use telehealth as assisted living residents followed by nursing home
• Industry Association (ACA) wants FCC to preempt state laws on permitting, rates
• NTIA Announces Tribal Broadband Program Reforms to Maximize Tribal Connectivity and Reduce Red Tape
• Senate votes for agriculture bill with $109 million for rural broadband
• Concerns over recommendations to reallocate IIJA/BEAD funds to deficit reduction
• Senators Cantwell and Schatz ask for answers on Trump Administration’s delay of nearly $1 billion in tribal broadband grants
• BEAD recipients can continue to receive opex Subsidies for existing networks

Vendor/Technology News

• Benton looks at WISPs’ place in BEAD
• USTelecom 2025 Pricing Index shows lower costs and higher speeds for broadband
• Midco acquires SCI Broadband in Minnesota Network Expansion
• Are existing satellite power rules outdated? Experts discuss at recent conference
• NDIA looks at why AI is important in digital inclusion
• Research on Addressing Homelessness Through Equitable Design on TikTok
• Trend indicates that broadband providers are focusing on customer service
• Rethinking the smart city as an intelligent archway: research report

Office of Broadband Development Updates and News:

• OBD Updates Nov 19, 2025: Line Extension bids due Nov 25, 2025
• Office of Broadband Development Updates Nov 6, 2025 Task Force Meeting notes

Local Broadband News

Blue Earth et al
Mediacom Communications announces multi-gig broadband in Blue Earth, Brown, McLeod, Meeker, Nicollet, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Scott, Waseca, Watonwan Counties and Lower Sioux Reservation

Coleraine
Paul Bunyan Communications expands FTTH to 480+ homes and businesses in Coleraine

Dakota County
How do Data Centers Impact Dakota County? a Forum held in Farmington MN on August 20, 2025

Fergus Falls
Fergus Falls Disabled American Veterans (DAV) donates funds for wi-fi and cable television costs at the MN Veterans Home

Hermantown
Hermantown City Council was exploring the possibility of a super data center in the community but plans have been paused

Itasca and St Louis Counties
Paul Bunyan Communications’ broadband expansion continues in Itasca and St. Louis Counties

Nobles County
Lismore Coop talking to Nobles County about extending FTTH to Rushmore and Ellsworth

Rochester
Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual STEAM summit for students

Sherburne County
Sherburne County to expands Arvig Elk River and Haven/Clear Lake Broadband Grant Program

South Central MN
Data Center Forum Follow Up: notes from the South-Central Minnesota Data Center Forum on November 12

Data Center Forum Event Nov 12 in North Mankato: the start of a community discussion

Upcoming Events, Opportunities and Resources

• December 18 MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
• EVENT Feb 3-5: Net Inclusion 2026 in Chicago
• OPPORTUNITY: Agriculture Research, Education, Extension, And Technology Transfer Advisory Panel
• OPPORTUNITY: 2026 Ignite Cup are officially open, now!

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

Ashby
Ashby Public School Agricultural Education Department awarded $5,000 grant from The Foundation for Rural Service

Bois Forte
Bois Forte-CTC extends NECS middle mile broadband to 2,000 locations around Lake Vermilion (St Louis and Koochiching Counties)

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

Upcoming Events, Opportunities and Resources

• November 13 MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
• December 18 MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting

• EVENT Feb 3-5: Net Inclusion 2026 in Chicago
• OPPORTUNITY: National Digital Inclusion challenges the repeal of the Digital Equity Act Competitive Grant Program

Office of Broadband Development on Termination of Federal Digital Equity Act
The Office of Broadband Development (OBD) issued an urgent update on the status of Minnesota’s Digital Opportunity Plan after the MN Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) received notification that state’s $12 million grant from the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program was immediately terminating. OBD was going to distribute that funding to local digital inclusion projects around the state.

MN Broadband Task Force May 2025 Meeting: Women and federal changes
In May, the MN Broadband Task Force heard from the Hopkins Digital Access Initiative about local seniors getting and using technology. They also heard from women in broadband, including Women in Technology.

OBD mentioned that the Digital Opportunity funding has been terminated. They are forging ahead with BEAD applications. They received 108 applications but they only proposed to cover 52 percent of BEAD eligible locations. OBD is holding off on opening the next BEAD Round of applications until more is known about federal expectations.

State News   

• MN Legislature looks at possible Special Session
• How does labor view the changes in MN broadband installer laws?
• MN Broadband installer bill (SF908) passes on house modifying 2024 legislation
• MN Conference Committee meet on omnibus agriculture and broadband development policy and finance bill
• Congrats to Benya Kraus and Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation for her new position as President and CEO
• MN House updates to HF47: provisions governing the certification of underground telecommunications installers modified

Federal

• Loss of ACP means reduced spending on food and clothing and/or lose access to family and loved one
• Sen Klobuchar and others ask Trump Administration not to delay BEAD funding
• Senator Klobuchar’s Take It Down Act is signed into law
• The FCC releases Internet Access Services Report
• LAST ACRE Act promotes broadband to the farm
• President Trump says he would end the Digital Equity Act
• Re-Introduced Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act put some onus on “Big Tech”

Vendor/Technology News

• Broadband industry associations ask Trump Administration to let states continue with BEAD
• AT&T to Acquire Lumen’s Mass Markets Fiber Business
• Broadband provider, Meeker Cooperative Light & Power Association, becomes Meeker Energy
• Should the smartphone-broadband bundle should be on every rural operator’s radar?
• FCC Approves Verizon-Frontier Merger

Office of Broadband Development Updates and News:

• Office of Broadband Development Office Hours: Digital Opportunity Termination Update – BEAD keeps on
• Broadband Development Update May 7, 2025: Next BEAD grant round set to open May 27, 2025

Local Broadband News

Arlington (Sibley County)
Mediacom launches multi-gig broadband in Arlington (Sibley County)

Burnsville (Dakota County)
Burnsville License Center closed due to a fiber internet outage

Cass and Crow Wing
New partnership, Tri-Co, focused on deploying broadband to Cass and Crown Wing Counties

Iron Range
Time to remember timber, taconite, tourism and technology on the Iron Range?

Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe shares broadband expansion plans

Minneapolis
Minneapolis Public Housing Authority and Comcast making Xfinity easier to access in several of the Minneapolis Public Housing buildings

Pine County
Pine County offers support and possible funding to Mediacom BEAD application

Renville County
Renville County residents are invited to take a broadband survey

St Louis County
CTC is deploying fiber to Breitung Town (St. Louis County)IRRR announces $383,000 broadband grant for Paul Bunyan Communications (St Louis County)

Shoreview (Ramsey County)
Gateway Fiber building broadband in Shoreview (Ramsey County)

Willmar (Kandiyohi County)
Update on Connect Willmar Initiative – open access network in Kandiyohi CountyConnect Willmar Initiative now accepting fiber pre-orders

Upcoming Events, Opportunities and Resources

• EVENTS June 3 & 4: SmartNorth’s The Future Is Feminine adult career pathway program
• June 11 MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
• June 12: Speeding BEAD Summit A one-day conference on expediting BEAD
• August 21 MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
• 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 18MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting

MN Broadband Task Force Meeting February 2024
The MN Broabdand Task Force got a quick update on what is happening with the Office of Broadband Development and Legislature. Then a panel of broadband and power providers talked about their experience with pole attachments. It was an interesting look at the pole attachment process and cost from the provider perspective.

State News   

• Bill introduced in MN House HF1606: prohibiting access to nudification technology
• Bill introduced in MN House: HF1552 lowering match requirements for lower population density broadband grant program
• MN SF0769: laid over for possible inclusion: bill to change data center tax incentive from refund to exemption
• Freedom Foundation of Minnesota questions need for public funding for broadband in Minnesota
• Bill introduced in MN Senate: SF1860; prohibiting false caller identification information
• Would new MN bill (HF47) hinder broadband or increase safety?
• MN SF379 moves forward: State-funded county and city cybersecurity grant program establishment
• MN HF47 moves forward: Provisions governing the certification of underground telecommunications installers modified
• Federal Broadband Funding to Connect 89,000 Minnesotans; DEED Begins Prequalification Process
• Update on bills SF0883 and SF0735: taxation exemption for broadband providers
• Bill introduced in MN House: HF974 related to definition of provider and role of franchise and permitting and more
• Bill introduced in MN House: HF844 getting more data on broadband deployment from providers
• Bill introduced to MN House: HF653 transferring money into the agriculture research, education, extension, and technology transfer
• MN House Ag, Finance and Policy Committee hear from Office of Broadband Development

Federal

• US Senators introduce Bipartisan Legislation to prevent taxation of rural broadband grants
• Does the BEAD map only count correct answers with no penalty for wrong ones?
• Broadband grants are taxable income – will that change before BEAD starts distributing funds?
• The Supreme Court rules for heightened penalties for false reimbursement claims to E-Rate Program
• The Foundation for Rural Service published report: Delivering Broadband from Beginning to “End”
• Turns out the Affordable Connectivity Program was a good investment – according to report
• Pew has four ways to keep BEAD on track
• How could Trump’s DEI executive orders impact telecoms?
• Why Should BEAD continue to prioritize fiber?
• Trump Administration nominates Arielle Roth for head of NTIA – leads to questions about BEAD
• US Legislation introduced to reduce taxation on broadband grants
• What happened with RURAL.gov and what’s still missing?

Vendor/Technology News

• Happy anniversary to ECE Fiber customers: from 12 to 4000 in a year
• Community Broadband Action Network (CBAN) has a good glossary for newbies
• What is Fiber Sensing? A good path to becoming a Smart Community
• What are potential broadband impacts of tariffs?
• Ars Technica reports on CenturyLink outages
• Winnebago Cooperative Telecom Association recently named a Smart Connected Community provider by NTCA

Office of Broadband Development Updates and News:

• OBD Broadband Matters Feb 26: Annual report and BEAD pre-qualification details
• OBD Broadband Matters 18: BEAD eligible map update coming soon
• OBD Weekly Office Hours, February 18: pre-qualification questions
• Broadband Matters OBD Updates Feb 12: BEAD Pre-Qualification process happening until Feb 27
• OBD Office Hours Feb 4, 2025: Not many questions on BEAD today

Local Broadband News

Carver County
Carver County is getting closer to ubiquitous Gig coverage

Fall Lake Township
Fall Lake Township board to hear about BEAD and broadband at next meeting

Pine County
Pine County is focused on ubiquitous broadband – better maps and a speed test could help

Rosemount
Meta pays $70 million for land in Rosemount for new data center

Imagine an aerospace research center in Rosemount. North Wind and U of M are planning on it.

St Louis County
St Louis County spent $2.76 million ARPA funds on broadband

Willmar
Willmar Mayor notes broadband work in State of the City address

Willmar City Council asks staff to work with Charter Communication on plan for fiber to the Industrial Park and some service to residents

West Central Tribune asks, Will the Willmar Council move forward with its Connect Willmar Initiative?

Willmar City Council to meet with Charter Communications amid conversations with Hometown Fiber on an open access network

Winona
HBC Continues Flight Fiber Expansion in Winona, MN

Upcoming Events, Opportunities and Resources

• EVENT Mar 13: Charting the Course: Adapting to Policy Shifts While Keeping Our Eyes on the Prize”
• EVENT March 21: Open House for new telehealth site at Detroit Lakes VFW
•  EVENT Thursday, March 20 MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
• EVENT April 12: GigaZone Gaming Championship & TechXpo in Bemidji
• EVENT Thursday, April 17 MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
• EVENT Thursday, May 15 MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
• EVENT Wednesday, June 11 MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
• EVENT Thursday, August 21 MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
• EVENT Wednesday, September 17 MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
• EVENT Wednesday, October 15 MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
• EVENT Thursday, November 13 MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
• EVENT Thursday, December 18MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
• OPPORTUNITY: UMN Extension’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP) looking for project ideas

MN Broadband Task Force Aug 2024 Mtg: Hearing from broadband providers
The broadband providers at the meeting spoke frankly about the trials, tribulations and success for building broadband in the area. The importance of the Affordable Connectivity Program also came up – and the loss of trust that came with loss of broadband. It was nice to get public comments from folks from the frontlines!

Broadband is top economic issue says Heartland Forward
According to Heartland Forward and Cooper access to broadband is the single most important economic issue facing the United States heartland today. Another report demonstrates that telework can be a boon to rural workers and rural communities.

2023 Federal Broadband funding Report
The Federal Broadband Report looks at a number of factors around broadband, economic development and more down to the county. The information can help counties assess what they need based on access, subscription rates and any discrepancies.

State News    

• Minnesota has some great maps, including broadband maps
• FCC issues citations to 11 companies for broadband data reporting violations – none in MN
• 82 MN Counties where conditional forbearance from the obligation to offer Lifeline-supported voice service applies
• Governor Walz announces $5 million to medical tech companies for business expansion
• Impact of Minnesota Telehealth Act on patients
• MEPI report looks at Prevailing Wage for broadband projects in Minnesota
• Arvig and BEVCOMM ask the FCC to look into classification of Midcontinent
• Gov Walz uses online GIS maps to promote business development in MN
• C|Net looks at Governor Walz’s take on technology
• Harris Pick Walz Just Signed Law Favorable to Muni Broadband
• MN sees 10.4% increase in Construction Employment compared to US 4.4%

Federal

• FCC to move forward with 5G funds to target investments in rural communities
• 2024 Democratic Party Platform mentions broadband 3 times
• Could changes in E-Rate help close the ACP gap?
• ARPA funds – use it or lose it as deadline approaches
• Is the Universal Service Fund Unconstitutional? Why does it matter? A Connect This conversation
• Bipartisan Rural Broadband Protection Act Passes the Senate Commerce Committee

OBD Updates OBD BEAD-related training and updates

• Notes from BEAD Challenge weekly office hours Aug 29: Rebuttal process
• Notes from BEAD Challenge weekly office hours Aug 15: BEAD Challenge, Timeline and Resources
• Broadband Matters Aug 14 2024: OBD Updates on challenge process and Digital Opportunity webinars
• Notes from BEAD Challenge weekly office hours Aug 8: specific questions – multiple address challenge and polygons

Vendor/Technology News

• Low Orbit Satellites not good for the Ozone Layer
• FTTH is more sustainable than cable broadband
• Mindfulness supported by telehealth improve pain management in study
• Broadband industry needs 58,000 more tradespeople for predicted deployment
• ILSR report: Native Nations and Federal Telecom Policy Failures – consent is key

Local Broadband News

Cloquet
EVENT: CTC ground breaking for FTTH in Cloquet MN

Cook County
Cook County getting FTTH and Electricity thanks to RDOF and Arrowhead Cooperative

Ely
Ely MN is left with unreliable cell coverage after fiber circuit issues

Fillmore County
Broadband expansion begins in Fillmore County with MiBroadband and MN Broadband grants

Lakewood Township
National Cable Association lauds Lakewood Township Project offers advice for BEAD

Nobles County
Nobles County discusses remaining ARPA funds

Rochester
Rochester cable to debut multimedia digital box

Willmar City
Willmar City Council invests in marketing and engineering Connect Willmar Initiative
Willmar City Council votes to build open access fiber with Hometown Fiber

Upcoming Events, Opportunities and Resources

• September 5 – OBD Office Hour
• September 10 – NTIA BEAD Request for Public Comment: Choosing the Right Mix of Technologies to Achieve Internet for All
• September 12 – OBD Office Hour
• September 19 – OBD Office Hour
• September 24 – MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
• October 29 – MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
• Nov 18: Black Broadband Summit in North Mpls
• November 26 – MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
• December 17 – MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
• OPPORTUNITY: Wireline Competition Bureau Seeks Nominations for Eight Board Member Positions (Due Oct 28)
• OPPORTUNITY: NTIA Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (Due Sep 23)
• Opportunity Fund Fellowship Call—Applications Due September 15
• OPPORTUNITY: PCs for People is looking for partners
• OPPORTUNITY: Applications soon open for a New Initiative to Recognize Native Entities
• OPPORTUNITY: FCC Announces Anticipated Renewal of its Consumer Advisory Committee and Solicits Nominations for Membership

Happy 4th of July!

MN providers offering low-income discounts to replace ACP
With the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) ending last month, we took at look at how Minnesota providers are helping their low income customers with discounts and/or information on other federal subsidy programs.

MN Broadband Task Force June 2024: update on Grants, Staff and BEAD
The MN Broadband Task Force earned about how the annual task force report has been written in the past. They got updates on federal BEAD funding, State grants and staff updates from the Office of Broadband Development. They heard from ConnectMN and their work understanding Digital Navigators.

New MN Laws are changing the landscape of broadband and digital equity
Minnesota changed a few laws in the last session that will impact the local industry and communities. The Office of Broadband Development must now give preference to applications for federal BEAD funding from applicants that adhere to prevailing wages and training standards. (You can find many links of articles spurred by this change in the State News links below.)  Also, the MN Legislature removed barriers that had made it more difficult to build a telecommunications network without a supermajority vote and a law that allowed municipal networks only when there was not a private provider available or interested.

New Federal Policies are changing the landscape of broadband and digital equity
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) discontinued last month with few signs of near return. That will mean fewer customers for providers in areas with low-income customers. The federal BEAD funding asks providers to have a low-income option available; many providers, communities and households assumed that would be ACP. Fewer customers and required, yet unsupported, discounts make it difficult to financially plan to build a network. The recent US Supreme Court Chevron decision may also impact broadband access and adoption.

 State News    

• MN PUC agrees to allow LTD Broadband to relinquish ETC status in RDOF-specific area only
• Broadband Matters: Office of Broadband Development Updates: Task Force notes and BEAD updates
• MinnPost looks at impact of new labor laws, end of ACP and rules tied to federal broadband funding

• Mpls Star Tribune looks at impact of new law on broadband unions, providers and future funding

• Computer ownership and Internet subscription increasing but not equally: MN ranks 14 for statewide internet

• MN Office of Broadband Dev Update: BEAD Challenge Info sessions start next week

• Wifi available for Ice Houses in some areas

• Broadband industry questions survey discussed with new MN law related to prevailing wages and broadband installers

• NTIA has approved Minnesota’s BEAD Initial Proposal Volume 1

• CWA take on MN’s new laws on training and prevailing wage for broadband installers

• Research shows MN telehealth needs policy support

• Office of Broadband Development Updates: BEAD updates and upcoming meetings

• MN is working on better broadband with various grant opportunities

Federal

• A librarian’s perspective on the Chevron Decision and broadband

• Coming Soon: NTIA Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program
•  Conference of Mayors asks the FCC to rethink franchise fees
• New research on socioeconomic benefits of high-speed broadband
• Social Media and News: who uses which channels and why

• BEAD Challenge is a three-step process ILSR has a blueprint for communities

• Affordable Connectivity Program helped lower cost but not expand into rural areas

• Reimagine Rural looks at rural broadband: not in MN but similar stories

• FCC has plan to help libraries and schools with cybersecurity

• 83 percent of People in US used the Internet in 2023 – up from 80 percent in 2021

• Cancer care in the U.S. could generate 33% less emissions if it shifted to telemedicine care

Vendor News

• Comcast to partner with Starlink to provider satellite to businesses with remote locations.

• TDS to sell data centers to focus on fiber

Local Broadband News

Aitkin County
Paul Bunyan to extend FTTH to Ball Bluff, Cornish and Verdon Townships (Aitkin County)

Arrowhead Region
A glimpse at digital divide in MN’s Arrowhead and Iron Range regions

Carlton County
Better broadband is coming to Carlton County from Mediacom and SCI

Carver County
Carver County’s CarverLink’s ongoing fiber broadband connectivity efforts

Southwestern MN
Sen Klobuchar visits Southwestern MN to discuss issues such as broadband

St Paul
Comcast to provide wifi to St Paul Housing Agency residents

Upcoming Events, Opportunities and Resources

• July 10 – (Rochester) DEED Office of Broadband Development to Host BEAD Challenge Process Information Sessions
• July 11 – (New Ulm) DEED Office of Broadband Development to Host BEAD Challenge Process Information Sessions

• July 18 – MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
• Aug 2: OPPORTUNITY: Nominate someone for a Tekne award 
• August 19 – MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
• August 28-29 – MN PUC hearing on LTD Broadband
• September 24 – MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
• October 29 – MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
• November 26 – MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
• December 17 – MN Broadband Task Force Meeting
• OPPORTUNITY: Strengthening the Reliability and Resiliency of Minnesota’s Electrical Grid

Blandin Foundation supports technology and more
Blandin’s mission is to connect, fund and advocate for ideas and people to inspire resourcefulness and move rural places forward. Post COVID shut down, they created the Leadership Boost Grants (LBG) program to encourage Minnesotans living in rural and Native communities to be visionary and creative as they move their communities forward to meet the moment’s challenges and support local vision for growth. They cast a wide net in asking local communities for their ideas. They got a lot of them and funded projects in 90 communities. Learn more in a quick video tour of impactful projects.

BEAD deadlines are approaching
NTIA created a dashboard to track states’ progress toward meeting deadlines required to secure BEAD funding. A big deadline is December 27, 2023, when the Initial Proposal is due. Before then, states are required to release drafts and allow for 30 days of public comment. The Minnesota Office of Broadband Development is aiming to have a draft report out mid-November. Conversations and advice have already started in mainstream media about the drafts.

ILSR and MTA on federal funding channels for MN Communities
The Institute for Local Self Reliance recently spoke about various funding resources for broadband providers with Minnesota Telecom Alliance. It’s a hugely helpful discussion because it can get confusing.

State News    

• Star Tribune article on rural broadband spurs comments on fiber vs satellite
• Senator Kunesh notes $100 million broadband investment during President Biden visit
• More info on 22 Companies accepting Enhanced A-CAM funds in Minnesota
• Minnesota designated a tech hub and now eligible for more federal funding
• Two new additions to the MN Broadband Task Force: Brian Hood & Briana Mumme
• Technology making life better in MN communities for older folks
• 21 MN broadband providers accept Enhanced A-CAM funding

Federal/National News

• The FCC is starting to look at new definitions of broadband
• ACP (Affordable Connectivity Program) is getting more people online
• NTIA eases capital requirement for BEAD broadband funding
• Broadband makes short list of items White House wants to fund for National Security
• Federal funding allocated for broadband permitting
• Bill introduced in US Senate to promote Lifeline and ACP

Vendor News

• Arvig signs up for Enhanced A-CAM funding in Todd, Becker, Stearns, Hubbard, Otter Tail, Redwood and Cass Counties
• Midco sells tower portfolio to K2 Towers and will rent access to keep CAFII commitments
• Amazon getting into the satellite internet business

Local Broadband News

Ash (St Louis County)
Paul Bunyan Communications brings FTTH to Ash MN

Bloomington (Hennepin County)
Intrepid Fiber Networks expands FTTH service to Bloomington MN

Corcoran (Hennepin County)
Comcast to bring better broadband to Corcoran with Border to Border funding

Deer River/Leech Lake (Itasca County)
Tour of Deer River/Leech Lake Community Tech Hub: teens doing great work

Grand Rapids (Itasca County)
Tour of The Forge: a manufacturing tech collocation/incubator and so much more in Grand Rapids MN

Mankato (Blue Earth County)
Mankato Free Press on federal broadband funding in MN

Northfield (Rice County)
President Biden stops in Northfield to announce $5 billion in rural investment

Northeast MN
Digital Point of View on Belonging in Northeast MN conference

Orr (St Louis County)
Bois Forte Band broadband project nearly to bidding process around Orr MN (St Louis County)

Red Wing
Red Wing Ignite celebrates 10 years of local growth – also sneak peek at an amazing mural

St Cloud (Stearns County)
T-Mobile bringing fiber service to St Cloud (Stearns County)

St Paul
LiftZone provides computers, broadband and training to new immigrants in St Paul

Swan Lake (Nicollet County)
Mediacom Communications Launches Ultra-High-Speed Broadband in Swan Lake Area

Willmar (Kandiyohi County)
Willmar City Council approves Hometown Fiber contract to build open access network

Upcoming Events, Opportunities and Resources

• EVENT Nov 13: Black Broadband Summit in North Minneapolis
• EVENT Nov 15: FCC Will Vote on Rules to Prevent and Eliminate Digital Discrimination
• EVENT Nov 16: LTD Broadband on agenda for MN Public Utilities Meeting
• EVENT Nov 28: Paul Bunyan Communications, Leech Lake and IEDC host Affordable Connectivity Program Sign Up Day
• OPPORTUNITY: Free Geek Executive Director Wanted
• OPPORTUNITY: FCC looking for nominations to Native Nations Communications Task Force
• OPPORTUNITY: RFP fiber installation project in Scott County MN
• OPPORTUNITY: DEED announces $50 million round of broadband expansion funding
• Looks like a good time to become a broadband engineer or manager
• Looking for a digital equity resource in the Twin Cities? Check out Literacy Minnesota’s newest newsletter
• Does your community need help with these federal funding applications? There’s a bootcamp for that

Broadband keeps me busy enough that sometimes I’m like an ostrich with my head buried in fiber, but I’ve been out and about a bit more in the last few weeks checking in on Blandin Broadband Communities (Leech Lake and Red Wing) and getting a chance to some of Blandin’s newer programs too. I thought it might be fun to share with my broadband-focused friends some of the other work Blandin Foundation is doing, especially in light of their recent award from Minnesota Council of Nonprofits for Responsive Philanthropy.

As a reminder, Blandin’s mission is to connect, fund and advocate for ideas and people to inspire resourcefulness and move rural places forward. Post COVID shut down, they shook things up with Leadership Boost Grants (LBG) program to encourage Minnesotans living in rural and Native communities to be visionary and creative as they move their communities forward to meet the moment’s challenges and support local vision for growth. They cast a wide net in asking local communities for their ideas. They got a lot of them and funded projects in 90 communities.

I mostly hear about the projects that focus on technology, because folks know what I like but technology isn’t an integral part of every project. Some communities still need help getting the technology, others can capitalize on what they have and projects like a recent mural in Red Wing, just don’t include technology. There’s still work to be done to help some communities catch up to technology but there’s also an opportunity to help communities who have access to use all their resources (technology being part of that toolkit) to become more inclusive and find a way to move rural areas forward in a way that brings all rural residents with them.

You can get the insider’s view of what’s happening in the Blandin Foundation video below.