Broadband Deployment

3rd Tuesday 2pm ET Join the Group

The Broadband Deployment Policy Group discusses federal and state broadband programs to promote the deployment of open, high-quality broadband infrastructure across the country. The Group advocates for policies that expand broadband investment for anchor institutions and unserved and underserved communities by the private sector and by non-profit providers such as research and education networks and municipalities.

November Meeting Summary

The meeting we invited included two fantastic speakers this month. First up was Drew Garner, Director of Policy Engagement with the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, who shared updates about the BEAD program and where states currently sit with their plans. We also heard from Jessica Dine, Policy Analyst with the Open Technology Institute and Wireless Future Project New America, who recapped New America and ICLE's LEO Policy Symposium event, specifically addressing how states can effectively incorporate LEO as it is now a part of the connectivity toolkit.

Full meeting notes for this and prior meetings are only available to SHLB members, and can be accessed here.

Past Guest Speakers

Roy Hoover, Consultant, Hoover Technology Consulting

Broadband Deployment Group Focal Areas

The Group will focus primarily on federal programs, such as the BEAD, CPF and RDOF programs run by NTIA, Treasury Department and the FCC respectively. The Group will also review state broadband maps and other state broadband initiatives to drive broadband investment that benefit anchor institutions. The Group will also discuss and support regulatory changes that can drive greater broadband deployment, such as pole attachments, open access, tax relief and other policies to promote broadband investment to solve the digital divide.

2024 Activities