Category Archives: Broadband Applications

EVENT May 19 (today): BEAD Non-Deployment Funds Could Fund Precision Ag, and more from Fiber Connect byBroadband Breakfast

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From Broadband Breakfast…

Broadband Breakfast Live Online at Fiber Connect

Broadband Breakfast is planning to host online events at Fiber Connect from May 18-May 20 – on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Panelists

  • Rebecca Denman, President of Business Development, UniTek Global Services
  • Greg Bathrick,Area Vice President of Commercial Development, Calix
  • Donald Ray, Chief Development Officer, BAM Broadband
  • Lindsay Randazzo, Senior Director of Marketing, Innovative Systems
  • Anis Khemakhem, Chief Commercial Officer, Clearfield
  • Drew Clark (moderator), CEO and Publisher, Broadband Breakfast

Fiber Broadband says Precision Agriculture needs fiber

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Fiber Broadband Association releases a report that outlines the benefits of fiber for precision agriculture…

Precision Ag depends on data and broadband networks. Farming is transforming into a highly connected, data-driven industry and this shift fundamentally changes the broadband requirements of rural America.

Current 100/20 Mbps thresholds do not reflect these realities and risk prematurely classifying agricultural communities as “served,” but a symmetrical baseline of at least 100/100 Mbps better reflects the operational demands of Precision Ag today and the technologies emerging over the next decade. Among broadband technologies, fiber remains uniquely positioned to meet these requirements due to its symmetric capacity, extremely low latency, and virtually unlimited scalability.

To ensure U.S. agriculture remains competitive and resilient, broadband policy must evolve past minimum speed thresholds and “good enough” infrastructure to reflect the realities of data-driven farming. Investing in scalable fiber infrastructure ensures that rural America and the nation’s food supply remain competitive in a rapidly evolving agricultural economy.

It makes sense that the Fiber Broadband Association would feel that way. They also list some increased needs they predict will happen as a result of AI…

Practically, technology advancements and AI integration push networks toward the following requirements:
• More upstream throughput (moving raw/processed data to models)
• Lower-latency access (interactive recommendations and control)
• More reliability (automation cannot “pause” for a flaky link or bad weather)
• Edge computing architectures (local processing plus cloud synchronization)
• Scalability (more devices and higher data rates over time)
• Security (critical operational data, ransomware risks, supply chain access)

OPPORTUNITY: USDA Accepts Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Applications open to improve access to remote education and health care in rural communities

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USDA Rural Development announces...

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development invites grant applications to improve access to remote education and health care in rural communities.
USDA is making approximately $27 million in funding available under the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program.
This program funds distance learning and telemedicine equipment, including audio and video equipment, to
improve access to educational and health care opportunities in rural communities. These funds will help
digitally connect people to education, training and healthcare resources that are otherwise unavailable or limited in remote parts of the country.
For example, DLT funding expands opportunities for:
• Students to participate in classes that may be in locations too far to access in person;
• Teachers to provide their expertise, trainings and educational services to students across the country; and
• Patients to seek specialized care and treatment from medical professionals without needing to leave their
homes or communities.
Eligible applicants include state and local governmental entities, federally recognized Tribes, nonprofits and for
profit businesses.
Applications must be submitted electronically through grants.gov no later than June 30, 2026. Additional program information is available on the DLT Program website. Interested applicants are encourage to contact their Telecom Program General Field Representative (GFR) and may submit questions using the Contact Us Form.
To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, sign up at the GovDelivery subscriber page.

New MN Bill: Open Meeting Law; meeting broadcasting through social media authorized HF3295

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The new bill will be discussed today (May 7) at 1pm on HTV1…

HF3295 (Gordon) Open Meeting Law; meeting broadcasting through social media authorized.

 

REPORT: U.S. State of State of EdTech 2026 – cybersecurity, AI, procurement and teaching & learning

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The U.S. State of State of EdTech 2026 “provides insights into the state of K-12 education through the lens of education technology leaders—professionals who play a critical role ensuring technology is safe, reliable, and effective in supporting student learning, teaching, and district operations.” I have taught every age, from preschool to graduate school so I am always interested in what’s going on with education. When it comes to the world of education and technology it feels like so much has changes in the last 20 years and that the pace of change keep quickening. Here are the key findings from the report…

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity continues to rank as the No. 1 priority for education technology leaders, reflecting the essential role secure digital systems play in modern education. Most districts are actively investing in monitoring, detection, identity protection, and firewall technologies to safeguard networks, data, and learning continuity.

However, nearly two-thirds (65%) identify insufficient cybersecurity staffing and the lack of a dedicated budget as the top barriers to addressing cybersecurity challenges—highlighting the potential for a gap between responsibility and readiness. With increasing cyber insurance costs putting additional strain on budgets and new forms of AI-enabled cyberattacks increasing risks, districts must navigate how to best align funding decisions to keep up with ongoing pressures in the cybersecurity landscape.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Districts are making significant progress in establishing guidance for the responsible use of AI. More than three-quarters of districts (79%) report having AI guidelines in place, compared to 57% in 2025, reflecting growing clarity around AI’s role in education. The majority of education technology leaders welcome guidance and recommendations from state education agencies (SEAs) on these AI policies. Nevertheless, the vast majority report they do not want their SEA to issue AI mandates, underscoring the value of local decision making.

In just one year, education technology leaders have become strikingly more optimistic about AI’s potential, nearly doubling their confidence in areas like productivity and personalized learning and showing especially sharp gains in student tutoring and workforce readiness. Productivity gains are seen as the area of greatest impact: a vast percentage (96%) of education technology leaders view AI as having the potential to positively affect education. More than half of districts have AI initiatives that focus on productivity, such as productivity suites for administrators and teachers as well as training in the use of those tools. Fewer districts (41%) have initiatives for instructional platforms to support teaching and learning. More districts (64%) are using AI in operations—a notable jump from the prior year’s 37%.

Procurement

Responses to procurement questions indicate that many districts have established baseline purchasing practices, particularly around product safety. A majority of districts (56%) require vendors to provide information on the safety of their products. Fewer require information on the other key education technology quality indicators—such as evidence based design, inclusivity, usability, and interoperability—pointing to an opportunity to further strengthen and standardize procurement practices.

Regulations for accessibility impact all local education systems, though only 11% of districts regard accessibility as a key priority. As the framework of the Five EdTech Quality Indicators becomes more widely known, and expectations for meeting accessibility requirements are more broadly understood, districts are well-positioned to refine adoption criteria in ways that support high-quality education technology implementation.

Teaching and Learning

Districts continue to demonstrate strong foundational capacity to support education technology. The majority of districts (66%) report adequate staffing for core technical functions such as network administration, application installation, and maintenance as access to digital learning has expanded, with 1:1 implementation at an all-time high.

At the same time, most districts (58%) report they are understaffed when it comes to supporting the technology used for teaching and learning. Strengthening instructional support presents a clear opportunity to maximize the value of education technology investments and reinforce confidence among educators and communities.

Community interest and engagement around instructional technology is high. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of districts report that their communities express moderate to high levels of concern about the technology used for teaching and learning. This finding underscores the importance of clear communication, thoughtful implementation, and ongoing professional support to ensure technology continues to advance teaching and learning goals.

Some rural pharmacies looking at AI‐Enabled Telehealth Solutions

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Voice of Alexandria reports..

Independent Pharmacy Cooperative (IPC) announces a strategic partnership with Doctronic to help independent pharmacies expand access to AI‐enabled telehealth. Building on IPC’s Digital Health investments, this collaboration supports care models that prioritize convenience, speed, and trusted support close to home, while keeping pharmacies central to the patient relationship.

Through this partnership, IPC and Doctronic will offer member pharmacies a practical on-ramp to digital care. Doctronic’s platform streamlines AI-assisted intake and connects patients to licensed clinicians, helping pharmacies expand access to care without losing the community connections patients rely on. For more, visit: https://www.ipcrx.com/digital-health-for-independent-pharmacies-2.

” AI is everywhere, and it can feel overwhelming,” said Kate Helf, VP of IPC Digital Health. “We see AI‐enabled telehealth as a foundational tool, we’ll continue to build on, supporting independent pharmacies as they expand access to care while staying central to the patient relationship.”

In many rural and underserved communities, independent pharmacies are often the most accessible healthcare touchpoints. Enabling digitally supported care options through the pharmacy, IPC and Doctronic aim to help close gaps in availability, strengthen continuity of care, and expand the support patients can receive, regardless of geography.

Future of Universal Service Fund (USF) Reform Task Force

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Keep Our Communities Connected (KOCC) reports…

Keep Our Communities Connected (KOCC) and the Schools, Health, and Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition launched the “Future of Universal Service Fund (USF) Reform Task Force” on Friday, April 10, 2026. This cross-sector initiative aims to inform ongoing bipartisan and bicameral policy debates on the long-term sustainability of universal service programs that support broadband access for schools, libraries, rural communities, health providers, and low-income households. Chairing the Task Force are former FCC Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Rachelle Chong.

Someone from the Schools, Health, and Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition mentioned efforts to reevaluate USF at the Office of Broadband Development conference yesterday. So, this caught my eye today…

The Task Force aims to operate on a consensus basis over the summer, focusing on:

  • Stabilizing USF Programs: Evaluating policy options, including long-term funding predictability and sustainability, the role of appropriations, contribution models, and accountability measures.
  • Broadening the Coalition: Engaging a diverse ecosystem of leaders from public interest advocacy organizations, telecommunication and trade associations, and academia.
  • Operationalizing the Sustainability: Translating abstract policy goals into a final set of principles and recommendations to guide the Congressional Universal Service Fund Working Group.

The Task Force will conclude its work with a public announcement of its findings and a convening in Washington, D.C. to present a forward-looking roadmap for universal service connectivity.

New MN Bill: Social media platforms requirements for minors (SF4696)

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The Minnesota Senate will hear about the following this morning:

Commerce and Consumer Protection

Chair: Senator Matt D. Klein

Location: G-15 Capitol

Public Notice Date: 2026-04-23 11:29 AM

Documents added Revision 4

Testifiers must be in person.
Other items may be added to the agenda.
The number of testifiers and length of time permitted is at the discretion of the chair.

Agenda:

Libraries, schools and others ask FCC to reject proposed E-Rate bidding portal

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Benton Institute for Broadband & Society reports…

The Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition led more than 80 organizations (including the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society) representing schools, libraries, service providers, and education leaders in sending a letter to the Federal Communications Commission urging the agency not to proceed with its proposed competitive bidding portal for the E-Rate program. The groups are concerned that the establishment of a Bidding Portal and its associated complex requirements and procedures, as proposed in the Draft Order, is not only unnecessary but also undermines the good work being done to streamline the E-Rate program. The groups requested that the FCC not proceed with its proposed implementation of the Bidding Portal. If the FCC elects to proceed with the Bidding Portal, the groups urge it to delay implementation until at least Funding Year 2029, hold a public comment proceeding to allow input into the portal’s development, create beta testing with applicants and providers to ensure the portal functions appropriately, and hold training for all applicants and vendors on the portal and new requirements under this order.

Minnesota is Tops for Hospital telehealth adoption by state

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Becker Health IT reports…

Here is the percentage of hospitals that offer telehealth in each state, according to an April analysis by Definitive Healthcare using its proprietary hospital data:

1. Minnesota: 80.8%
2. Michigan: 80.3%
3. Wisconsin: 80.2%
4. South Dakota: 79.2%
5. North Carolina: 78.7%
6. Iowa: 78%
7. Vermont: 76.5%
8. Pennsylvania: 76.4%
9. Oregon: 76.1%
10. Indiana: 73.5%
11. New York: 73.1%
12. Illinois: 72.8%
13. Ohio: 71.9%
14. District of Columbia: 71.4%
15. West Virginia: 71.1%
16. Virginia: 69.7%
17. New Jersey: 69%
18. Massachusetts: 68.7%
19. Missouri: 68.7%
20. Maryland: 67.6%
21. Connecticut: 67.3%
22. Delaware: 66.7%
23. Utah: 64.3%
24. Montana: 64.2%
25. Kentucky: 63.8%
26. Nebraska: 62.7%
27. Washington: 57.5%
28. Arizona: 57.4%
29. North Dakota: 57.1%
30. South Carolina: 55.8%
31. Rhode Island: 55.6%
32. California: 55.1%
33. Oklahoma: 55%
34. Maine: 55%
35. Tennessee: 52%
36. Alaska: 51.7%
37. New Hampshire: 51.4%
38. Texas: 51.4%
39. Idaho: 50%
40. Colorado: 48.8%
41. Mississippi: 48%
42. Florida: 47.8%
43. Georgia: 47.7%
44. Wyoming: 47.2%
45. Arkansas: 47.1%
46. Alabama: 46.5%
47. Nevada: 45.1%
48. Louisiana: 43%
49. New Mexico: 42.6%
50. Kansas: 40%
51. Hawaii: 32.3%

 

Should the data center conversation also include broadband expansion?

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An Op-Ed from Next City wonders why municipalities aren’t looking at broadband expansion as a talking point for data centers…

As data centers pop up across the country, communities are asking hard questions about their true value: megawatts of electricity used, gallons of water absorbed, tax abatements for developers, and the true number of jobs created.

The current debate positions data centers as a tradeoff between growth and strain, pitting economic development versus environmental and infrastructure impact.

These are important questions. They deserve scrutiny. But they are not the whole picture. …

For communities — especially in rural areas — who may still be working to install broadband networks, the data center debate is an opportunity for a structured and thoughtful broadband infrastructure transformation.

While discussions on water and power define where a data center will locate, it is the connectivity that will define what impact it will have on a community.

I have wondered why this hasn’t come up earlier in this current chapter of data centers. Around 2014, Eagan made very purposeful strides to connect broadband to data centers as an economic development strategy. And I remember (in 2011), when Duluth was trying to become a Google Fiber Community that the cold as an asset to data centers and the recent addition of the Involta data center was a plus. Clearly, this is a decade before the arrival hyperscale data center in Minnesota and hyperscale is a game changer. But this article got me looking at what happened years ago. I cannot say whether data centers are a good or bad idea for you community, but the advice I saw 10 years ago looks similar to the first step given in this article…

To create a robust plan for local connectivity, all stakeholders must be involved. That includes broadband providers that lay the fiber and build the infrastructure that connect our businesses, schools, and hospitals to the modern economy. These companies are core stakeholders, not background infrastructure.

However, these providers are often noticeably absent from such conversation. At a recent Columbus City Council hearing about data center development, for example, not a single internet provider or broadband expert was among the presentations. The room was filled, the news was filming, strong opinions were shared – and yet, broadband was not represented.

Not having all stakeholders at the table means that decisions about data centers are being made with incomplete information as to the whole picture of the costs and benefits of development.

New MN Bill: to establish a steering committee that would provide recommendations on current human services IT HF4675

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Last week, the House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee, heard about HF4675 to establish a steering committee that would provide recommendations on current human services IT systems and the development of new ones…

Counties have long lamented outdated “Oregon Trail”-era IT systems used to enroll Minnesotans in Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Women Infants and Children, and other public assistance programs. Soon, President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” will introduce increased complexity to these systems and legislators have said the status quo can’t accommodate that.

In addition to remedies proposed by Gov. Tim Walz and other legislators throughout the session, Rep. Danny Nadeau (R-Rogers) has a proposal to kickstart upgrades and modernizations.

He sponsors HF4675 to establish a steering committee that would provide recommendations on current human services IT systems and the development of new ones. The bill would also appropriate an undetermined amount of money in Fiscal Year 2027 to update county IT systems.

The committee laid the bill over.

Counties currently use two systems to process claims: MAXIS, launched in 1989, and METS, established in 2014.

Testifiers said both systems have issues.

How do job-seeking kids feel about AI? Not great

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Axios reports…

America, we have a problem: Young adults are scared and unprepared for the AI revolution upending their early career choices and prospects.

  • They tell pollsters they’re frightened, even angry, about AI’s fast arrival. They’re rightly unnerved by a tough job market for college grads. And most aren’t remotely equipped by schools to be AI-savvy.

Why it matters: This is a growing problem for just about everyone — kids, educators, employers and politicians.

  • The youngest, most technologically native age group should be among the biggest cheerleaders and beneficiaries of AI. They aren’t. If anything, their feelings are growing more sour.

By the numbers: Gen Z’s excitement about AI dropped 14 points over the last year to just 22%, according to Gallup polling released last week. Hopefulness about the technology fell nine points to 18%, while anger rose nine points to 31%.

The history of 911 in Minnesota from a 911 telecommunicator

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The Department of Public Safety reports on changes to 911 over the years. I just thought it was an interesting look at how 911 has changed over the years, especially for folks who have ubiquitous and reliable cell coverage…

For Mark Lallak, the evolution of 911 is personal. He watched it happen in real time from behind the dispatch console.

When Lallak was working as a 911 telecommunicator in the ’90s, most calls came from landlines. Because the phone numbers were associated with fixed locations, dispatchers had a name and address associated with each phone number. If someone called in, first responders almost always knew where they needed to go.

Then as cell phones emerged, everything changed.

The update happened quickly…

Today, wireless calls are the new norm. In 2025, about 87 percent of 911 calls in Minnesota came from cell phones. People call from cars, boats, trails and countless other places where emergencies happen. It’s much easier to call 911 today than ever before — and that flexibility is a good thing. But it also created new challenges for dispatchers and first responders.

In the early days of cell phone calls to 911, dispatch centers often had to rely on cell tower triangulation to estimate a caller’s location. Dispatchers can’t identify someone based on a cell phone number like they could with landlines. If a caller could not speak, hung up or lost connection, responders might have to search a broad area, often as big as a square mile or more.  …

“Nowadays, when a caller dials 911, the latitude and longitude coordinates from their cell phone are usually shared with the system,” Carlson said. “That information can help responders get to the right place faster.”

While this process works better today than before, there is room for improvement. In some parts of greater Minnesota, calls may still be routed based on cell tower triangulation instead of a caller’s GPS coordinates. That can lead to delays or extra transfers, especially near county borders.

ECN is working to improve the 911 system through Next Generation 911, or NG911. The current network in Minnesota has been in place since 1982 and relies on outdated copper telecommunication lines. In partnership with telecom service providers across the state, ECN is upgrading the network to fiber optic cable. The upgraded system will allow callers to text photos and videos and even share data from unexpected sources like smartwatches and vehicles.

AI’s impact on unemployment rate is real but minimal and mixed

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Axios reports…

The impact of AI on the job market is starting to show up in the data analyzed by Wall Street firms — so far it’s pretty modest, but certainly real.

What they found: AI has both created and destroyed jobs over the past year.

  • It reduced employment in occupations that are easily substituted by AI, translating to a slight 0.16 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate.
  • At the same time, AI decreased unemployment by 0.06 point in jobs that are “augmented” by AI — roles that rely on things that machines cannot replace, like human judgment, interpersonal interaction and accountability.

Zoom out: Overall, AI raised the unemployment rate by just 0.1 percentage point, they find.

The article goes on to explain that there are two sides to AI. It was help some professions and eliminate others…

The bottom line: AI’s impact on the labor market is small so far, and it’s more complicated than the doomers want you to think.