Advocates for broadband access say changes to the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program that seek to lower costs of internet expansion will result in lower quality connectivity for areas that need it. The $42.45 billion federal grant program aims to connect every American to high-speed internet by funding partnerships to build…
The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved Iowa’s Initial Proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. The NTIA allocated over $415 million to fund the buildout of broadband infrastructure to all unserved and underserved locations throughout Iowa. The approval allows Iowa to…
Community Broadband Action Network is hosting its 2024 Fall Forum on Oct. 10 in West Des Moines. Christopher Ali, author of “Farm Fresh Broadband,” will share stories and insights for the future of a digitally connected rural America and USDA Rural Development Field Director Theresa Greenfield will speak on the USDA’s role…
Ryan Mulhall will serve as executive director of the Iowa Communications Network, an independent state agency that administers the state’s fiber optic telecommunications network. Mulhall begins his new role on Friday. Mulhall, who was appointed by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, has worked at ICN since 2016, including serving as its chief…
Verbio’s biorefinery facility in Nevada, Iowa, has started commercial production of corn-based ethanol, Verbio North America announced recently. Verbio Nevada, which opened in 2021, can now operate as a full biorefinery with a total capacity to produce 60 million gallons of corn-based ethanol per year and 2.3 million mmBTU of renewable…
Mediacom Communications has announced its new mobile phone service Mediacom Mobile. The new service is offered in partnership with Verizon. According to a news release, it is designed to be paired with Mediacom’s internet service. As an authorized Verizon mobile virtual network operator, Mediacom Mobile customers will be able to…
Regen Fiber last week unveiled its wind turbine recycling solution and announced its new facility in Fairfax has started production. Owned by Travero, a subsidiary of Alliant Energy, Regen Fiber’s recycling solution shreds wind turbine blades at the end of their life rather than burning the blades or burying them in…
IEDA also approves five awards to startups A Meta subsidiary’s plan for an $800 million data center project in Davenport will receive a $161 million local property tax exemption through the state’s High Quality Jobs program. The Iowa Economic Development Authority board voted Friday to approve the tax exemption request…
The Iowa Department of Management’s Division of Information Technology (DOM DoIT) is seeking the public’s input on Iowa’s upcoming broadband map. The DOM DoIT is required to update its broadband map every year. This year’s updates will be referenced as part of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD)….
Community Broadband Action Network (CBAN) is hosting a webinar about the upcoming round of grants from the federal Digital Equity Act following the recent announcement that digital equity plans for all 50 states have been approved. The grants will first be available through states and later directly through the National Telecommunications…