Category Archives: Policy

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

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The Pine and Lakes Echo Journal reports…

The Pine River Economic Development Corporation facilitated a legislative forum Monday, Jan. 19, in the Pine River-Backus High School Media Center, offering residents and businesses the opportunity to ask questions of area state legislators.

Legislators included District 5A Rep. Krista Knudsen, R-Lake Shore; District 6A Rep. Ben Davis, R-Mission Township; District 5 Sen. Paul Utke, R-Park Rapids; District 6 Sen. Keri Heintzeman, R-Nisswa; and District 6B Rep. Josh Heintzeman, R-Nisswa.

Broadband was one of the topics…

Five topics were prepared ahead of the two-hour forum, including: efficient communication with state agencies about underutilized state property, Minnesota Paid Family Leave Act and legislation, broadband funding, Highway 371 development, and the future of bipartisan communications in the Legislature.

And what was reported…

Legislators talked about the limits of broadband access in rural Minnesota in spite of federal and state programs supposedly designed to bridge those gaps. Josh Heintzeman said it is very difficult to pass bills for broadband expansion if it restricts those funds to outstate districts.

He said with current budget woes, it is unlikely that there will be funding in the near future for more state broadband grant money.

Utke said the money is sometimes directed based on decisions by the businesses in charge of installation.

“It’s a business decision in a lot of cases with how much work they can handle this season and what they are going to do, and in some cases they will go after certain grants that fit their business models,” Utke said.

Utke said those businesses might choose to expand in one place versus another based on existing infrastructure, weather, convenience and population density.

Because they have the chance of serving more customers, those businesses may be less interested in projects that capture a smaller number of rural customers as opposed to those living in a more densely packed city area.

Utke said state grants have requirements that federal grants do not, such as requiring contractors to pay prevailing wages, which can eat into the profit margins of a broadband project.

The 2025 MN Broadband Task Force Annual Report is out!

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The Office of Broadband Development and MN Broadband Task Force unveiled the 2025 MN Broadband Task Force Annual Report at the Task Force meeting today. 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.

The report also outlines recommendations to policymakers…

Key Recommendations for Governor and Legislature
Affordability, Economic Opportunity, and Workforce Development
• Modernize Federal Affordability Programs – Advocate for federal reforms to the Lifeline program, increasing the monthly subsidy to match the former ACP levels ($30 for most households, $75 for Tribal lands). This would make broadband service genuinely affordable for low-income Minnesotans and help prevent service cancellations due to cost.
• Workforce Development and Local Hiring – Develop and fund Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and registered apprenticeships with Minnesota schools and colleges to address labor shortages and build local capacity for broadband deployment. Encourage grant recipients to implement workforce best practices (outlined in Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116J.395) and prioritize local hiring provisions, ensuring jobs created are family-supporting with fair wages and benefits.

• Support for Anchor Institutions – Prioritize funding for anchor institutions (libraries, schools, community centers) to provide digital literacy training, including resources for software, hardware, staff (such as digital navigators), outreach, and business alignment with these initiatives.
• Statewide Digital Inclusion Initiative – Launch a coordinated, multi-faceted initiative to systematically eliminate barriers to digital literacy and adoption. This includes expanding affordable broadband access, providing devices, and funding community-based programs that address non-technical challenges, such as transportation, childcare, language barriers, and trust-building with service providers. The initiative should prioritize digital skills training for all residents, regardless of foundational literacy level.
Mapping, Policy, and Funding
• Advance Inclusive Broadband Deployment – Align deployment strategies with community needs, prioritizing underserved and unserved populations. Strengthen state-supported coordination of community and nonprofit efforts and explore cost-reduction policies to lower barriers in high-cost, low-density areas.
• Expand and Sustain Broadband Mapping – Continue and expand mapping efforts to provide accurate, transparent data that informs policy decisions, identifies service gaps, and supports targeted infrastructure development. As BEAD and other grant programs are completed, ensure mapping efforts evaluate actual locations served, speeds delivered, and infrastructure capabilities.
• Prioritize Funding for Line Extension Connection Program – Provide continued and increased funding for the Line Extension Connection Program, which has proven to be a cost-effective and targeted solution for last-mile deployment. This program empowers consumers, meets demand, and ensures no household or business is left behind as BEAD funding rolls out.

EVENT Feb 4: The future of communications regulation with FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty

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From the Brookings Institution…

The future of communications regulation with FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty

Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. EST
Online: https://www.brookings.edu/events/the-future-of-communications-regulation-with-fcc-commissioner-olivia-trusty/

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the federal agency responsible for regulating our networks and communications, including broadband, infrastructure, space, and media. In January 2025, Olivia Trusty was nominated by President Donald J. Trump to serve as FCC commissioner. After being confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Commissioner Trusty began her term in June 2025. Alongside her peers, Commissioner Trusty will be instrumental in advancing the resiliency of existing and future networks, the future of media, and efforts that ensure communications accessibility to all Americans, especially as Congress begins to engage in universal service reform.

On February 4, the Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings will host a fireside chat with FCC Commissioner Trusty to discuss her outlook on the agency in 2026, the priorities of the agency, and the aspirations for communications policies under her leadership.

Online viewers can submit questions via e-mail to events@brookings.edu.

A Minnesota view of Broadband Breakfast’s State BEAD Roundtable session

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The Broadband Breakfast session with State Broadband Offices was interesting and an easy format in which to engage. [Added 7:30pm Jan 21: Here’s the Broadband Breakfast article on it.] Here’s a quick description…

State broadband offices are now deep into BEAD implementation, managing billions in federal funding while navigating deployment timelines, subgrantee oversight, and compliance requirements. This roundtable aims to bring together state broadband directors and program leaders to share lessons learned, troubleshoot common challenges, and discuss emerging best practices from the field. The conversation will also address how states are measuring progress, ensuring speedy and thorough deployment, and adapting strategies as ground-level realities meet original plans.

Bree Maki from the MN Office of Broadband Development was one of the panelists. I’m sure they will post a full video later but I thought I’d share a view from Minnesota.

Update on MN from Bree

  • We have NTIA’s BEAD approval
  • We do not have NIST approval
  • We are getting everything ready to distribute funds when we do get approval

General notes

  • Getting NIST approval seems to be a slow process for everyone
  • The issue is that states can’t start without approval.
  • One advantage of the slow process is learning more about what NTIA wants from other states

Some compelling questions from participants – and some answers if the question was posed verbally – as opposed to in the chat:

Q: The NTIA T&C say BEAD sub-recipients cannot use “any” USF funds. So that means schools, libraries, health providers who get BEAD connections cannot get E-rate or RHC support. Can state leaders push back on this? It is understandable not to get high-cost support, but why limit E-rate/RHC funding?

Q: Could we get a state officer to address whether or not they need to or will request from US Treasury an extension on unspent ARPA funds by 12-26? If any have sought extensions, have they been granted? If not, what are states doing? If unused ARPA funds have to be returned, what is the state’s plan to replace those funds? Thank you.
A: In MN we simply plan to spend it all in time.

Q: Question for everyone… satellite has been available to rural communities for years now…and uptake is not more than single-digit percentage points. Does uptake impact how LEO providers will be funded? Are they only reimbursed for sites that adopt or for ALL that were designated LEO? How will the SBOs help drive uptake, if at all? Should we just call LEO sites what they are… the new digital divide?
A: In WI, we look at capacity and subscription benchmarks and pay based on subscription rates.
A: In MN, we’re waiting on guidance for what milestones we should be considering. People in the field are wondering what the state is paying for with satellite when it’s already available.

Q: Our state is saying that NTIA is requiring a third-party final speed test that is paid from the sub -recipients. Are there any states that are providing these final speed tests since there can be discrepancies?
A IN MN, last summer we did 35,000 speed tests with our partner.

Q: Is there any concern about NTIA implementing changes to BEAD without submitting a CRA report, potentially making the rules ineffective, and/or causing more delay?
A: Folks seem to think it’s a nonissue.

2025 Minnesota Rural Health Policy Summit Report: no mention of broadband

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The 2025 Minnesota Rural Health Policy Summit Report looks at five policy priority area definitions

  • Access: Ensuring all Minnesotans—regardless of geography—can obtain timely, affordable, and individually appropriate care.
  • Funding: Advocate for sustainable and equitable funding models that reflect the unique needs of rural providers and communities.
  • Innovation: Promoting rural-centered innovation in care delivery, technology, and community partnerships to ensure sustainability.
  • Regulation: Supporting regulatory frameworks that protect patient safety and reduce administrative burdens that build flexible rural health systems.
  • Workforce: Strengthening the rural health workforce by expanding education pathways, incentivizing rural practice, and embracing community-rooted solutions

I was expecting “access” to discussion access to broadband with an eye toward using telehealth. It didn’t. I don’t have a lot more to say about that, except that broadband – and telehealth – weren’t hot topics.

The exception was a mention of remote access under the umbrella of innovation…

Policy solutions focused on payment or incentive solutions that focus on prevention, address specific needs, or provide specific services, have controls for security, and means to monitor outcomes. The group emphasized that innovations should integrate environmental impacts. Policy suggestions include making the virtual visits telehealth extender permanent and aligning payments for virtual visit models with in-person visit models.

The extension of funding will help those who can access online visits but still leaves out those without adequate broadband.

EVENT Jan 22: MN Broadband Task Force Jan 2026 meeting

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Below is the agenda for the MN Broadband Task Force. I will attend (remotely) and plan to livestream it…

Agenda: Broadband Task Force, January Monthly Meeting

Date: 01/22/2026

Virtual Meeting

Join the meeting now.

  • Meeting ID and Pass Code: 295 528 665 057 20 and cB73Es65
  • Dial in by phone: +1 651-395-7448,,329040994#. Phone conference ID: 329 040 994#
  • Join on a video conferencing device: Tenant key: mn@m.webex.com. Video ID: 112 547 437 0

Meeting Agenda

10:00 a.m. – 10:05 a.m. – Welcome from Teddy Bekele, Chair, Minnesota Governor’s Task Force on Broadband and approval of minutes from December Task Force meeting.

10:05 a.m. – 10:20 a.m. – Senate Committee Chair legislative discussion and broadband check-in with Senator Putnam (Chair Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development).

10:20 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. – Overview of 2025 Broadband Task Force Annual Report and recommendations.

10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Legislative preview for 2026 with Deven Bowdry, Government Relations Director, DEED

11:00 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. – Office of Broadband Development (OBD) overview and updates from Bree Maki (Executive Director, OBD).

11:20 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Break.

11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. – Minnesota broadband environmental permitting overview with Bree Maki (Executive Director, OBD) and Megan Messerole (Broadband Environmental and Land Use Coordinator, OBD)

12:15 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Open the floor to other business, February meeting plans, and meeting wrap-up.

Policymakers introduce bipartisan rural broadband access bill

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Ag Daily reports…

A bipartisan group of lawmakers is pushing to extend federal support for broadband infrastructure aimed at improving internet access in rural America.

U.S. Sens. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., introduced the Middle Mile for Rural America Act, legislation that would reauthorize a U.S. Department of Agriculture program supporting middle-mile broadband projects for another five years.

The bill proposes a reauthorization covering fiscal years 2026 through 2031, extending authority under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to fund middle-mile broadband infrastructure that connects rural communities to high-speed internet networks.

RUS has been working on middle mile since 2018…

The USDA’s Rural Utilities Service gained authority to support stand-alone middle-mile broadband projects under the 2018 Farm Bill. Prior to that change, middle-mile infrastructure could only be funded indirectly through last-mile broadband projects.

A slight change would extend support…

If enacted, the Middle Mile for Rural America Act would amend Section 602(g) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 by replacing “2018 through 2023” with “2026 through 2031,” extending USDA’s authority to support middle-mile broadband infrastructure in rural communities.

Office of Broadband Development Update Jan 14: Line extension, Task Force meeting dates and BEAD updates

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From the Office of Broadband Development…

Broadband Matters: Office of Broadband Development Updates

  • Line Extension Connection Program
  • Broadband Task Force, January meeting plans
  • NTIA Approves Minnesota’s BEAD Plan; Initial $378.9M in subgrants to connect 74,739 locations statewide
  • OBD BEAD resources
  • Broadband in the news

Line Extension Connection Program

OBD is currently in the process of rolling out awards and getting confirmation of award acceptance from providers for Round 4 of the Line Extension Connection Program. Once this process is complete, OBD will publish final awards, which is expected to be late January or early February.

Registration remains open for future rounds if and as funding is available for residents and businesses on the Line Extension Connection Program webpage. OBD does expect to run a fifth round of Line Extension with state project funds in late winter/early spring 2026.

Questions on Line Extension can be sent to deed.broadband@state.mn.us or (651)-259-7610.

Broadband Task Force, January meeting plans

The Broadband Task Force will have its first meeting of 2026 on Thursday January 22, at 10am.  This meeting will be held virtually and is open to anyone from the public to attend, the link to join will be added to the agenda which is posted on the Broadband Task Force webpage.

During 2026, the Broadband Task Force will plan to meet on:

  • Wednesday, February 18
  • Wednesday, April 29
  • Thursday, May 21
  • Thursday, June 18
  • Thursday, August 13
  • Wednesday, September 16
  • Thursday, October 8
  • Thursday, November 12
  • Thursday, December 10

This schedule, along with other information on past and future meetings, will be posted on the Broadband Task Force webpage.

NTIA Approves Minnesota’s BEAD Plan; Initial $378.9M in subgrants to connect 74,739 locations statewide

On December 19, 2025, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) approved Minnesota’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Final Proposal, advancing the state’s plan to expand high‑speed internet with federal funding.

Following extensive engagement, restructuring, and over 18 rounds of curing, Minnesota has been initially approved for $378.9 million in BEAD subgrants across 94 projects. These projects are supported by nearly $190 million in matching funds, representing a total anticipated investment of more than $568.8 million to connect 74,739 locations. This extraordinary opportunity underscores the dedication and coordination of our team and partners statewide.

The Office of Broadband Development (OBD) is awaiting final approval from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and will then begin the contracting process with subgrantees, prioritizing award agreements and readiness activities.

OBD BEAD resources

OBD continues to add resources and update information on the OBD BEAD webpage as it becomes available. These and additional updates include:

The status of BEAD nationally can be followed on NTIA’s BEAD Progress Dashboard.

Broadband in the news

  • A press release reports Rural St Louis County is getting better broadband through BEAD and Mediacom and quotes OBD’s Executive Director Bree Maki, “For more than a decade, the residents and leaders of North Star and Pequaywan Townships have done everything right—planning, organizing, and advocating for better connectivity—and this investment finally delivers on that work…BEAD funding is designed to reach exactly these kinds of rural communities that the market alone has not served, and this project will help to ensure families, businesses, and first responders in St. Louis County have access to reliable, affordable, high-speed internet that meets today’s needs and tomorrow’s opportunities.”
  • An OBD Low-Density Population Grant will go towards areas of Balkan Township in St. Louis County through Paul Bunyan Communications GigaZone fiber expansion.

EVENT Jan 20: AAPB and ILSR to Host Webinar on Legal Challenges Facing Community Broadband

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From the Institute for Local Self Reliance…

Cities and towns building or expanding locally owned broadband networks can face a complex and confusing legal landscape.

To help local leaders better understand those challenges, the American Association for Public Broadband (AAPB) and the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) Community Broadband Networks Initiative are kicking off the new year with another one of their increasingly popular and informative webinars.

The free event, “Navigating the Legal Landscape of Community Broadband” is slated for Tuesday, January 20, from 12 to 1 p.m. ET.

Registration is now open here.

EVENT Jan 8: MN Legislative Commission on Cybersecurity (2pm)

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The MN Legislative Commission on Cybersecurity meets today (Jan 8) at 2pm. You can join remotely…

 

Date: Thu., Jan. 8

Time: 2:00 p.m.

Event: Legislative Commission on Cybersecurity

Agenda:

Minnesota National Guard presentation.

Future meeting topics and schedule.

Channel: HTV1

Local governments don’t agree with broadband providers views on permitting

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Light Reading reports…

Local governments and large industry trade groups are not aligned on the idea of wireline permitting reforms.

That’s not breaking news, but the differences of opinion were newly highlighted in an FCC docket, opened last year, soliciting comments and proposing questions about how the Commission can use its authority under section 253 of the Communications Act to preempt state and local laws that “have a prohibitive effect on wireline telecommunications deployments and services.” The FCC collected comments after opening the proceeding in September, with reply comments due in December 2025.

They highlight their views…

The groups stress that local permitting rules protect public safety, and they point to recent instances where “companies installing and deploying communications infrastructure endangered residents in multiple communities” – including situations that “sometimes resulted in the death of children,” according to the Local Government Associations.

The filing highlights a few instances in particular – including one in November 2025, for example, where “an excavation crew hired by Spectrum ruptured a gas main in Mitchell, Wisconsin,” resulting in four workers becoming hospitalized, two homes being damaged and “the evacuation of dozens of residents,” said the groups.

Senators introduce the SUCCESS for BEAD Act authorizing BEAD funds for broadband enhancement

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Senator Wicker reports…

U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss. and Senator Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.V. introduced the Supporting U.S. Critical Connectivity and Economic Strategy and Security for BEAD Act (SUCCESS for BEAD Act). This legislation would authorize states to use remaining funds from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program for projects that support state’s deployment plan by enhancing public safety, improving network resiliency, strengthening national security, and developing a qualified workforce for emerging technologies. The overarching goal is to advance digital infrastructure readiness and sustain U.S. leadership in innovation by providing clear guardrails for the eligible uses of the remaining funds.

Chairman Carr Highlights Wins Delivered by the FCC in 2025

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The FCC reports on Chairman Brendan Carr summary of the FCC’s key wins in 2025…

“2025 was a historic year for the FCC and I am proud of all the wins we were able to achieve for the American people,” Chairman Carr stated.  “I want to express my thanks and appreciation to the agency’s talented staff for the great and efficient results that they delivered all year long.  But this is just the beginning.  The FCC is firing on all cylinders, and we will build on this momentum to deliver even more wins in 2026.”

The items were organized into the following topics…

  • UNLEASHING HIGH-SPEED INFRASTRUCTURE BUILDS

  • RESTORING AMERICA’S LEADERSHIP IN WIRELESS

  • BOOSTING AMERICA’S SPACE ECONOMY

  • STRENGTHENING AMERICAS TELECOM WORKERS

  • REINVIGORATING THE FCC’S CONSUMER PROTECTION WORK

  • EMPOWERING LOCAL BROADCASTERS

  • PROMOTING NATIONAL SECURITY

  • ADVANCING PUBLIC SAFETY

  • STREAMLINING REGULATIONS & MODERNIZING AGENCY OPERATIONS

Important dates set for MN Legislative session – especially for passing bills

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From Minnesota Legislature…

Legislative leaders on Tuesday officially set the timeline for getting bills through the committee process during the upcoming 2026 session.

Here are the three deadlines for the 2026 session (first and second deadlines are the same day):

Friday, March 27 at 5 p.m.: Committees must act favorably on bills in the house of origin and committees must act favorably on bills, or companions of bills, that met the first deadline in the other body.

Friday, April 17 at 5 p.m.: Committees must act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills.

The annual Easter/Passover break is scheduled to begin on March 27 at 5 p.m. The Legislature will be in recess until 8 a.m. on April 7. 

Per Joint Rule 2.03, the deadlines do not apply to the House Capital Investment Division; the House Taxes, Ways and Means, or Rules and Legislative Administration committees; nor the Senate Capital Investment, Finance, Taxes or Rules and Administration committees.

The Legislature must complete its work by May 18.

These dates are important for successfully getting bills through to become bills.

Minnesota receives federal approval on their final BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) proposal

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Broadband Breakfast reports…

Five more states have received federal approval on their final spending plans under the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program.

Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Utah now have the green light from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, according to the agency’s BEAD progress tracker. That brings the total to 34 states and three territories.

Here’s what they said about Minnesota…

Idaho and Minnesota’s plans saw few changes. The other plans approved by NTIA have for the most part also not significantly changed from public drafts.

Just Thursday (Dec 18), the Office of Broadband Development told the Task Force that the approval was coming soon.

I started the MN Broadband County Profiles after that meeting – hoping the status wouldn’t change or at least wouldn’t change until after I posted. I try to write reports for 87 counties over 3-4 days. I’m halfway through that list and hope to post Monday or Tuesday. ANd really, the approval doesn’t change much to the reports.