THE REGULATORY MIX AND BLOG ARTICLES

Today's Regulatory Mix:  USDA Rural Broadband Grants In Arkansas, Indiana, and Wisconsin, FCC Biennial Report On CVAA, NTIA Digital Inclusion Webpage

USDA Rural Broadband Grants In Arkansas, Indiana, and Wisconsin

The USDA announced three new broadband grants.  In Arkansas, the USDA will invest $11.8 million to allow three providers to offer broadband service in unserved and underserved rural areas in Arkansas.

FCC Recommends Designating 988 as the Dialing Code for the Suicide Prevention Hotline

The FCC announced that its Staff sent a Report Congress which recommends that the FCC consider designating 988 as the 3-digit dialing code to be used for a nationwide suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline.  The report, mandated by the National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act of 2018, finds that such a 3-digit number “would likely make it easier for Americans in crisis to access potentially life-saving resources.” 

Indiana Governor Announces Over $22 Million in Broadband Funding

The Governor of Indiana announced  $22.1 million in funding for 11 broadband expansion infrastructure projects across the state as a part of the initial round of the Next Level Broadband program.  This funding will provide broadband infrastructure to more than 4,800 homes and commercial locations in 12 counties.

The $100 million Next Level Broadband program is the largest single state investment in broadband. For the initial round of funding, service providers could apply for up to $5 million per project to expand service to unserved areas if they provided at least a 20 percent match.