A neighborhood’s internet options reveal a wider divide: wealthier areas get upgrades first, while working-class residents may rely on phone hotspots for school and work. #InternetAccess #DigitalDivid

With the widespread adoption of smart home technology, millions of Americans are now reliant on a seamless internet connection to control everything from their thermostats…

UMS briefed trustees on Network Maine’s role as the Internet provider for K‑12, libraries and campuses across Maine, its partnerships, funding split (state ~50%, federal ~36%), redundancy design and near‑term risks from E‑Rate policy and long‑term contract renewals.

Raleigh -- October 26, 2026: North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson is taking aim at federal proposals that could strip millions of dollars in internet funding from classrooms across the state,...

Facing changes in the BEAD program, the committee voted to recommend redirecting $360,000 originally approved for BEAD incentives to the Bug Tussel 1, LLC account approved in May 2022; funds must be used by June 30, 2027.

OpenAI says it will no longer allow frontier models to access the internet during training in an effort to put in new safety measures after a series of incidents.

via BBC News — Ukraine relies on Starlink for a range of military uses - its owner Elon Musk has repeatedly denied restricting access.

Internet inequality hits harder than most realize. Large providers often ignore underserved neighborhoods, trapping residents in a cycle where limited access costs more. Check your local broadband map

Committee members voted to submit a comment to the FCC urging preservation of the E‑Rate program after a member said Nauset had received nearly $400,000 for internet connectivity and warned proposed changes could cut that support.

It's a trade-off between download speeds and data caps.

Ramsey told trustees Noxon received about $76,700 in E-rate commitments (FY2021-2025) and warned FCC rulemaking could reduce or restructure E-rate funding; he asked trustees to submit individual comments before the initial deadline (noted as tomorrow, Oct. 13) and said he would email a comment template.

A district staffer briefed trustees on the federal E-Rate program and urged the board to submit comments to the FCC by Nov. 12, warning proposed changes could narrow eligibility or cap funding and would increase district costs.

Schools and libraries across the United States are protesting a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposal that could significantly reduce or eliminate funding for the E-Rate program, which provides discounted internet access to educational institutions. The E-Rate program, a $2 billion annual initiative, has been instrumental in connecting students and library patrons to the internet for educational purposes. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has criticized school districts for what he describes as 'experimenting with a massive increase in screen time for students,' arguing that the program has expanded beyond its original purpose of supporting basic internet access. In June, Carr led a 2-1 vote to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) seeking public comment on whether E-Rate should be 'limited or sunset to reflect today's extensive connectivity rates.' The proposed changes could result in reduced discounts for schools and libraries on telecommunications services and equipment, as well as stricter restrictions on how E-Rate funds can be used. The National Association of Elementary School Principals has strongly supported the continued operation of the E-Rate program, urging the FCC to reject proposals that would eliminate or substantially restrict it. The American Library Association has also weighed in, stating that the FCC lacks the authority to regulate screen time or determine educational outcomes, emphasizing that such decisions should be made by school boards and local educational authorities. The FCC has already scaled back E-Rate funding in the past year by ending support for Wi-Fi hotspots and school bus internet services. However, the American Library Association has clarified that the E-Rate program is mandated by Congress, and the FCC is only responsible for administering it, not terminating it. The Association has stressed that under U.S. law, determinations about inappropriate content for children must be made by school boards or local educational agencies, not the FCC. The ongoing debate highlights the tension between federal regulatory efforts and the educational community's need for reliable internet access for students and library users.

A Gateway Fiber press release announced service offers in nearby towns; committee members noted limited public minutes from Falmouth's MLP and questioned whether a $5-per-month discount on a 1‑gig plan will be enough to attract customers or change competitive dynamics.

San Antonio honored SA Digital Connects for expanding digital access. Executive Director Rhea Pape said the organization helped connect more than 25,000 homes and will publish an impact report and launch a legacy fund to continue digital opportunity work.

Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.

Board officials warned proposed E‑Rate changes could raise connectivity costs and asked the public to submit comments to the FCC by October 13; district reimbursements noted were about $64,000 and nearly $13,000 for the 2025 funding year.

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