Improving Broadband Reporting and Mapping
Federal communications policy has long recognized both the virtue of competition in speeding the rapid deployment of broadband technology and the reality that some areas of the country – whether due to challenging geography or economics – are unable to attract the investment required to support broadband access without targeted government help. The federal government spends billions of dollars each year through the Connect America Fund and other programs to promote broadband deployment to these unserved areas, so it is critical that these programs work as efficiently and effectively as
Midco: Making a Difference in Rural America Through Broadband Investment
Today, Midco's Senior Director of Government Relations Justin Forde will testify before the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology on strides the ISP has made in delivering broadband to rural America, and the critical work that must be done at the federal level to shrink the digital divide in America. Midco is one of America's leaders when it comes to bringing rural America up to speed. The ISP reaches more than 400,000 customers in 400 communities throughout South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Kansas, and Wisconsin, some of which have populations of fewer than 100 people. The
How Does a Fixed Wireless Network…Work?
Diverse geography and terrain, coupled with the sheer size of the United States pose significant challenges to delivering high-speed internet to every corner of our country. In places where miles of wilderness and farmland separate neighbors, the challenges to deploying a fiber network can be prohibitive. However, two ISPs are finding new solutions to connect even the most remote Americans. Recently, Midco and Charter have begun investing in fixed wireless technology to reach consumers. Midco began offering its customers a fixed wireless service earlier this year through its acquisition of
How the FCC Can Remove Local Barriers to Faster Broadband Deployment
Cities and small towns throughout the U.S. are thriving on high-speed internet. The ultrafast connectivity deployed by America's broadband providers is transforming economies, businesses, education, healthcare, and entertainment, and strengthening relationships through online interactions. The gigabit era has arrived, and thanks to cable's investment in infrastructure, 74 percent of its footprint now has gigabit service available. Each year, the speeds offered by cable ISPs get significantly faster and the networks even more robust. But even prior to internet (and video) services reaching
Charter's Trials in Wireless Technologies Will Bring More Coverage to Unserved Areas
Over the past two decades, cable broadband providers have invested over $275 billion in building robust high-speed broadband networks that power the online experiences for millions of Americans every day. As a result, more than 90 percent of U.S. homes now have hyper-fast connectivity, but there are still areas where there is not sufficient access to high-speed broadband. To continue closing this gap, ISPs are hard at work looking for innovative ways to bring fast and reliable internet to such communities. Charter Communications—which spans 41 states and has invested more than $27 billion
Connecting Rural America Through Fixed Wireless Technology
In places where there are more livestock than people and where miles of land separate one household from the next, finding an internet connection can sometimes be challenging. The length of time it would take and the amount it would cost to build a fiber network in certain remote regions can make it nearly impossible to bring high-speed fiber connections to rural areas. But America's internet service providers have been working towards innovative solutions to bridge the digital divide. Some of NCTA's members have begun to explore fixed wireless connectivity as an option to connect customers in
How High-Speed Internet is Improving Education in Rural Schools
Many schools today look a lot different than they used to. High-speed connectivity is encouraging the adoption of 1-to-1 laptop and Bring-Your-Own-Device programs in schools, as well as reputable online learning programs like the Khan Academy, a well-known video lecture site for classroom instruction. But where technology and a broadband connection are having a huge impact in education are in the schools that reside in the most remote parts of the nation. These are communities where miles and miles of land might separate one household from its closest neighbor, or where harsh weather or
Reaching the Last Mile: Hearing on Rural Broadband Examines Solutions to Closing the Digital Divide
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives holds an important hearing to discuss the challenges and benefits of rolling out broadband to rural regions across the country in order to reach communities that are currently affected by the digital divide. We applaud members of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology for opening up a dialogue that brings to the table innovative broadband solutions and approaches to connect more Americans. As we have seen, high-speed and reliable connectivity is the key to improving a community's economic vitality, education, healthcare, and growth, and rural
Another Step Towards Closing the Digital Divide in Rural America
There is hardly any region in the country that hasn't been touched and influenced by broadband connectivity in some shape or form. From coastal cities to small villages in Alaska, America's cable internet service providers have invested more than $275 billion over the past two decades to build robust broadband networks that reach over 90 percent of U.S. homes. High-speed internet is boosting local economies and giving residents the opportunity to succeed in just about every area of their lives. But there are still areas of the country that do not have access to broadband. For this reason
Midco Levels the Playing Field for Rural Schools
Stretched along and bordering the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota is the Meade School District, the largest school district in the state, geographically speaking. Spread out over 3,000-plus miles, a district that is this remote has had its fair share of connectivity challenges. Jeff Ward, the district's curriculum and technology director, said that its recent partnership with Midco—which provides internet, phone and cable TV services for communities in South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Kansas—has helped level the playing field for their schools. Students now enjoy