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Content tagged with "affordability"

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Fresno, California Celebrates Launch of Free Internet Initiative on Back of Community-Owned Network

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California community leaders, activists, and a coalition of partners gathered earlier this month to celebrate the launch of a new broadband infrastructure project at Sequoia Courts and Sequoia Courts Terrace in Fresno, bringing free high-speed Internet access to more than 350 residents.

The plan to bring broadband access to residents at no cost was made possible through a partnership with Fresno Housing, Fresno Coalition for Digital Inclusion (FCDI), United Way Fresno & Madera Counties, and Central Valley Community Foundation (CVCF). The Fresno Housing Authority will own and maintain the finished network.

The expansion, which leverages a hybrid fiber-wireless approach, was directly funded by California’s ambitious Broadband For All initiative, a $6 billion effort aimed at dramatically boosting broadband competition and access across the Golden State. Much of that effort was funded, in part, by the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

A group of community leaders and housing resident cut red ribbon in front of building

The Fresno grant was for $471,000, with $1,000 or less per unit cost to build, according to details on the project included in a California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) filing, which notes that the enterprise-grade wireless mesh network used in the project was more costly, but provided “flexibility and scalability for future expansion.”

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FCC’s Carr Eyes Dubious ‘Reforms’ To E-Rate, Broadband Mapping

Three students smiling gleefully while looking at computer screen in classroom while working on a science project
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Trump Federal Communication Commission Chairman Brendan Carr has announced vague potential changes to the FCC’s E-Rate program that could harm program funding, effectiveness, and the overarching goal of bringing affordable Internet access to long-neglected schools and rural communities trapped on the wrong side of the digital divide.

The reforms come as Carr also looks to make changes to the FCC’s broadband mapping efforts, something consumer groups say could harm the government’s ability to measure which communities need improved, affordable access, or suffer from a pronounced lack of broadband competition.

In an announcement to the FCC website, Carr stated the 30-year-old bipartisan E-Rate program, which costs $3 billion annually, was in dire need of reforms. The program is primarily funded by a small surcharge affixed to phone lines. With the steady erosion of copper-based phone lines, debates have arisen about how to best sustain the program.

But instead of focusing on issues like subsidy fraud by large telecoms, Carr’s announcement oddly focuses heavily on concerns about student “screen time” and what content students are allowed to view. It’s a problematic foray for an FCC boss recently under fire for unconstitutional censorship efforts targeting comedians and journalists.

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How NextLight Became the #1 Internet Service Provider in the Country - Episode 12 of Unbuffered

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In this episode of Unbuffered, Chris is joined by Valerie Dodd and Scott Rochat for a conversation about the history, growth, and continued success of Longmont's NextLight fiber network.

They begin with some recent recognition for NextLight, including being named the number one Internet Service Provider in the country, the top municipal ISP, the most recommended provider, and the highest-value provider according to customer surveys. Valerie reflects on the network's continued growth and why community support has become one of its greatest strengths.

From there, the conversation turns to the history of the network, from Longmont's early investment in fiber infrastructure to the community campaigns that helped secure voter approval for city-owned broadband despite significant opposition spending. Scott shares stories from the effort to build the network and how public support continued to grow over time.

Chris, Valerie, and Scott also discuss lessons learned along the way, including managing rapid growth, maintaining customer trust, planning for success, and avoiding common mistakes. They reflect on what it takes to build and sustain a community-owned network and why success requires both local leadership and long-term commitment.

The episode also explores NextLight's commitment to affordability and accessibility. Valerie explains how Longmont developed discounted service offerings, expanded support during the pandemic, and continued providing low-cost Internet options even after federal subsidy programs ended.

The conversation closes with a look at the network's financial position, including subscriber growth, debt repayment, and what comes next for one of the country's most successful municipal broadband networks. 

This show is 39 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed. 

You can also check out the video version via YouTube.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes (formerly Community Broadband Bits) or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Whitedrift for the song Operator, licensed Creative Commons Attribution (3.0).

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A California Democrat Is Trying to Gut the State’s Broadband Watchdog

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Today, the American Prospect published an analysis – “A California Democrat Is Trying to Gut the State’s Broadband Watchdog” – authored by our own Sean Gonsalves that examines a recently filed bill in California which aims to “strip telecommunications oversight authority away from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and shift it to a more easily lobbied state legislature and a hypothetical state broadband office that doesn’t yet exist.”

The piece details how the CPUC has become a national model for broadband consumer protection, extracting landmark affordability commitments from the proposed Charter-Cox merger, launching a state-funded broadband subsidy program, and administering the only public loan fund in the nation dedicated exclusively to community-owned Internet networks.

Here's a few excerpts:

“Given what the CPUC has done over the past several years to ensure that every family in California can afford internet access, Boerner’s characterization of her poison pill is enough to make Orwell blush and MAGA operatives smile.”

“To understand what’s really at stake in Boerner’s proposal, it helps to understand what the CPUC has built, mostly behind the scenes, and what would be lost.”

“On telecom issues, the CPUC is not just a passive regulator. In the words of Ernesto Falcon, branch manager of the Communications and Broadband Policy division of the agency’s Public Advocates Office, the CPUC is something closer to ‘a public defender in the regulatory space.’”

“The office employs 22 public servants—attorneys, researchers, and policy specialists—whose sole job is to advocate for California consumers in a regulatory arena dominated by monopoly telecom companies with virtually unlimited resources to influence lawmakers and set the agenda.”

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DigitalC at 10,000 Subscribers - Episode 11 of Unbuffered

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In this episode of Unbuffered, Chris is joined again by Joshua Edmonds, CEO of DigitalC, for an ongoing conversation about one of the most ambitious efforts in the country to address the digital divide.

Josh explains how DigitalC evolved into a nonprofit Internet service provider serving Cleveland with next-generation fixed wireless technology. He shares how the organization built a citywide network, why it offers service starting at $18 per month, and what it means to be approaching 10,000 subscriber households serving more than 23,000 people.

Chris and Josh discuss the relationship between digital equity and everyday economics, including affordability, rising household costs, and why low-cost Internet service continues to resonate with residents. They also explore how DigitalC’s approach could influence the broader telecommunications industry, from pricing strategies to customer contracts.

The conversation also looks at the realities of operating a nonprofit ISP, including customer payments, subscriber growth, apartment building deployments, and the challenge of finding the right technology for different situations. Josh explains how DigitalC uses a mix of fixed wireless, existing infrastructure, and other solutions to reach both single-family homes and multi-dwelling units across the city.

Throughout the episode, Chris and Josh reflect on what it takes to build a sustainable model for connecting residents, why local solutions matter, and how communities can move beyond talking about the digital divide to actually closing it.

This show is 53 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed. 

You can also check out the video version via YouTube.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes (formerly Community Broadband Bits) or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Whitedrift for the song Operator, licensed Creative Commons Attribution (3.0).

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California Assembly Member Moves to Strip CPUC Broadband Oversight, Undermine Affordability Efforts

The front entrance of the California Public Utilities Commission building
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In the last few years, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has been more intensely focused on ensuring that broadband in California is affordable. 

So it’s curious to see the California State Assembly vote 67-1 on May 18 to strip telecom oversight authority away from the CPUC and shift it to a more easily lobbied state legislature – and an as-yet-undefined state broadband office.

The effort still has a long road before it’s formalized.

Assembly Constitutional Amendment 9, authored by Assemblymember Tasha Boerner, D-Encinitas, now moves on to the California Senate, where it needs to secure a two-thirds vote before appearing on a statewide ballot before California voters.

CA Assembly member Tasha Boerner smiles at camera wearing a light blue sleeveless dress with ruffles

The proposal would remove the state constitutional requirement to define and regulate telecommunications as a public utility, something long supported by telecom giants. Boerner’s amendment (and companion bill AB 2289) gives lawmakers leeway to strip the CPUC of its telecom portfolio and hand it over to a newly created state broadband office by 2028.

Consumer Advocates Are 'Shocked' and Skeptical 

Boerner’s proposal is being sold to state lawmakers and the local press as a way to keep the CPUC focused on soaring electrical costs.

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Vermont Closes In on Universal Broadband Access as Federal Dollars, Local Innovation, and Workforce Training Converge

A line work is suspended in air reaching for fiber splice case on aerial fiber line next to a tree
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In the marathon to bring universal high-speed Internet service to the most rural state in the nation, Vermont is heading into the last-mile stretch of the race with the finish line in sight.

In February, the Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) announced that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) overseeing the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, had approved Vermont’s Final Proposal, unlocking $93 million of the state's nearly $229 million federal allocation.

After years of painstaking planning, public input, and navigating bureaucratic hurdles, it marked a pivotal moment – with the state's selected grant recipients cleared to begin deploying mostly fiber to the communities that have long been waiting for high-speed connectivity after decades of neglect from the Big Cable and Telecom providers.

“This is a major milestone for many of our rural towns and a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen and revitalize communities,” Gov. Phil Scott said in a statement, crediting NTIA, Vermont's congressional delegation, and the VCBB for shepherding the state's plan.

Vermont State House building on a sunny day after snowfall

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, never one to mince words, spoke to both the significance and the frustration of the moment. “Affordable, high-speed [I]nternet is a vitally important resource in every corner of the country. It is foundational to modern life,” he said. 

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Unbuffered Live! - Episode 6 of Unbuffered

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In the first live episode of Unbuffered, Chris is joined by Heather Mills, Doug Dawson, and Drew Garner for a wide-ranging conversation about BEAD, permitting, mobile wireless, and the latest debates around broadband policy and infrastructure.

They begin with a discussion about Amazon’s Leo service, efforts to preempt local government “to encourage more investments in Internet access,” and the realities of mobile wireless performance after Chris spent weeks traveling around the country.

From there, the conversation turns to BEAD and where things currently stand. Drew explains that most states and territories have finally signed their award agreements and are getting closer to construction, while also warning that the process remains “interminable” because there are so many seeming final steps. Chris, Heather, Doug, and Drew discuss delays, permitting, workforce challenges, NTIA guidance, and concerns that states may face a very narrow list of eligible uses for remaining funds.

The group also talks about affordability, quality, and value in broadband infrastructure, including whether LEO satellite service is truly an acceptable alternative to fiber-based networks. Heather reflects on the risks of creating “a class system of who gets what,” while emphasizing that affordability programs and local capacity still matter for communities trying to get connected.

The episode closes with a conversation about mobile networks, fixed wireless capacity, and why networks may feel like they are “running hotter” than they used to.

This show is 64 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed. 

You can also check out the video version via YouTube.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes (formerly Community Broadband Bits) or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Riverside for the music. The song is Caveman and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license

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Digital Equity and the Way We Build Networks - Episode 5 of Unbuffered

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In this episode of the podcast, Chris is joined again by Jade Piros De Carvalho and Sean Gonsalves for a conversation about Internet access, digital equity, and how we organize society.

They begin with an article by Stefan Schüller that compares the United States, Switzerland, and Germany and tries to draw lessons about how networks are built and governed. The discussion looks at how you can “do it way wrong” in different ways, from privatizing everything to gold plating systems, and what those choices mean for competition and outcomes.  

From there, the conversation turns to a central question: how do you go back from where we are now in the United States? Working within a privatized model, they explore whether it is possible to move toward something different, and what it would take to create more competition and better results for communities.

They also talk about digital equity, including how training and local investment can change people’s lives and why those investments matter. Sean highlights the benefits of these investments in his latest story on Belinda Parker-Mendoza from San Antonio. You can find that story on our main page here. 

Along the way, they reflect on the role of federal and state policy, the limits of simply “removing barriers to competition,” and the challenges of solving problems in places with existing infrastructure.

The episode also introduces a new recurring segment, “What the Tech!?!,” and closes with a look ahead to our first Unbuffered live show on April 28th at 2:00 PM ET. For more information, check out our story here.

This show is 48 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed. 

You can also check out the video version via YouTube.

Transcript below.

We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.

Listen to other episodes (formerly Community Broadband Bits) or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Thanks to Riverside for the music. The song is Caveman and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license

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A Cap, Gown, and Connection

Belinda Parker-Mendoza speaks behind a microphone at an Opportunity Home event
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The first time Belinda Parker-Mendoza set foot on the campus of San Antonio College was to get her cap and gown for graduation, having earned her Associate’s Degree in Business Administration.

It was not only a first for her. She was the first person in her entire family to earn a diploma of any kind.

The gateway to that moment, the 45-year-old mother says, came in 2022, when she signed up for a digital skills training course offered through AmeriCorps VISTA at one of the city’s Opportunity Home apartment complexes where she lives on San Antonio’s cultural and historic East Side.

“If I didn’t have a laptop and the Internet, none of that would’ve happened,” she explains, sitting in her fourth-floor apartment before diving into a writing assignment for one of her classes as she works towards her bachelor’s degree.

She does her school work on a laptop – a refurbished Dell computer she earned through the digital skills training program. Before that, she didn’t have a computer or Internet access at home. The class provided her a laptop and through the Americorps program, she was able to enroll in the now-expired Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which allowed her to get home Internet service for the first time.

Belinda Parker-Mendoza at digital skills event holding two signs. One says: "Americorps VISTA," the other reads: "Make Poverty History"

“Thank God,” she says. “Because when the ACP ended, I was working in the (Americorps) program – and getting paid – so it worked out.”

For millions of others, it did not.

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