Connect Humanity

8 reasons why BEAD is the new floor, not the finish line BEAD aimed to deliver “Internet for All,” but shifting priorities and funding gaps mean we still have a long way to go.

Whisper it: BEAD won’t deliver internet for all.

Despite big ambitions, it's clear as rollout plans emerge that BEAD will fall short of its target to close the digital divide.

Here's 8 reasons why:

connecthumanity.fund/8-reasons-why-bead-is-the-new-floor-not-the-finish-line

Private equity won’t close the digital divide — I know, I’ve tried. Explore the impact of rural broadband investment on communities, enabling remote work, telehealth, and education opportunities.

"Private equity won’t close the digital divide — I know, I’ve tried."

A first hand account from mission-driven broadband builder Brian Snider.

Via @impactalpha.com: impactalpha.com/private-equi...

Satellites are cool... until they’re not.

Our perspective on why BEAD must stay focused on fiber: fast, reliable, & future-proof.

connecthumanity.fund/satellite-in...

Funding for community-focused broadband Learn about Connect Humanity’s financing and co-investment opportunities to expand internet access in underserved communities.

💲 Now investing: Connect Humanity has funding to support community-centric broadband projects.

If you're building community-centric broadband or want to learn about co-investing, let’s talk.

Learn More 🔗 connecthumanity.fund/investment-c...

ISP and electric utility team up to boost broadband in Plumas County Connect Humanity investee Peak to Peak gets creative to build better broadband — from the valley floor to the mountaintop

From detecting wildfires to expanding internet access in remote communities, Jim Kossow is building solutions in Plumas County.

See how our investee Peak to Peak joined forces with PG&E to bring new fiber infrastructure to California’s mountain region.

connecthumanity.fund/how-peak-to-...

Partnering with Mission Driven Finance We’re excited to announce a new partnership with Mission Driven Finance to accelerate investment in high-impact broadband infrastructure projects.

We’re partnering with @missiondrivenfinance.com to unlock more capital for community-centered internet.

Together, we’re accelerating investment in broadband networks that put people first.

🔗 connecthumanity.fund/connect-huma...

Group photograph of Ashley Smith, Samantha Schartman, Adam Lewis, Annie Stroud and Shannon Millsaps

🎙️"We’re here for small businesses. For kids who want to go to college. For growth. The cornerstone of that is broadband" — Ashley Smith, SOAR Digital Navigator

Proud to host these heroes for a candid conversation on trust, leadership & building broadband at #NetInclusion25.

The Divide: Trump terminates Digital Equity Act – now what? This week: Angela Siefer, executive director of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA), on the impact of President Trump 'ending' the $2.75 billion Digital Equity Act and how advocates can fig...

This week on The Divide for @lightreading.bsky.social we hear from NDIA's Angela Siefer on the immediate and long-term impact of Trump (unlawfully) terminating grants from the Digital Equity Act and how advocates and states can fight back. www.lightreading.com/broadband/th...

Join us at the first-ever Future of Public Broadband conference!

Jordana Barton-Garcia joins the opening panel with lessons on building sustainable, community-centered broadband.

📅 May 14 | 🕐 1PM | 📍 DC

🔗 www.eventbrite.com/e/community-...

Hosted by @aapbroadband.bsky.social & @newamerica.org

Learn how Macon County, Alabama got stacked 💪

connecthumanity.fund/where-are-th...

Meigs County, Ohio Connectivity Plan Explore Southern Meigs County’s Connectivity Plan | Appalachia Digital Accelerator

Learn more about how Meigs County leaders are expanding digital opportunities through the Appalachia Digital Accelerator: connecthumanity.fund/meigs-county/

Over 200 homes set to receive broadband access in Meigs County The areas planned for the construction of the project include Longbottom, and on Ohio 681 between Tupper Plains and Reedsville.

A win for broadband in Meigs County, OH!

Construction is underway to connect 200 more homes with high-speed internet — thanks to Appalachia Digital Accelerator partners ARC, Buckeye Hills Regional Council & local champions 👏

www.wtap.com/2025/04/15/o...

Financing Broadband in Hard-to-Reach Communities (SSIR) To close the digital divide, we need a capital market that powers community broadband.

📰 New in @ssireview.bsky.social: Financing Broadband in Hard-to-Reach Communities

We won’t close the digital divide with the same old tools write Brian Vo & Clara Miller.

To deliver internet for all, we need a capital market that powers community broadband.

🔗 ssir.org/articles/ent...

Still haven’t found what you’re looking for?

If that “what” is local champions closing the digital divide, NDIA's new map might be just the ticket — featuring 85+ coalitions across the US.

We like it.

We hope it’s useful for u2 (ahem, you too).

👉 www.digitalinclusion.org/blog/ndia-pu...

Where Are They Now? The ripple effects of broadband investment in Macon County. How a $500k investment unlocked $148m in rural Alabama.

Macon County, Alabama 📍

In 2023, we partnered with Macon County Economic Development Authority on a fiber network to improve internet access.

Two years on, we checked in to see the ripple effects of world-class broadband.

The results are insane 🤯

connecthumanity.fund/where-are-th...

This Co-Op Led Internet Service Offers a New Model for Closing the Digital Divide Striking Spectrum workers started the cooperative several years back, and it's been fighting for equitable internet access ever since.

Heard of People's Choice Communications?

It’s an internet co-op bringing affordable internet to NYC — starting in the Bronx.

Founded by striking Spectrum workers, it's built to reinvest in the communities it serves.

📰 @cnet.com / @cierranoffke.bsky.social

www.cnet.com/home/interne...

Fiber-first is the right choice for America While signs point towards a shift to satellite in BEAD funding, a focus on fiber remains the right approach to build broadband fit for the future

"Switching from fiber to satellite may reduce upfront costs, but it’s like replacing a bridge with a ferry service — cheaper in the short term, but less effective and far more costly over the long haul."

Fiber remains the right choice to connect rural America:
connecthumanity.fund/fiber-first-...

Fiber-first is the right choice for America While signs point towards a shift to satellite in BEAD funding, a focus on fiber remains the right approach to build broadband fit for the future

"Switching from fiber to satellite may reduce upfront costs, but it’s like replacing a bridge with a ferry service — cheaper in the short term, but less effective and far more costly over the long haul."

Why BEAD's fiber-first approach remains the right choice 🇺🇸
connecthumanity.fund/fiber-first-...

Meet the Women Transforming the Broadband Industry: 7 Women Driving Digital Inclusion From policy to infrastructure, these women are breaking barriers and shaping the future of internet access.

Celebrating the powerhouse women transforming broadband 👏

Kudos to Jordana Barton-Garcia, @gbsohn.bsky.social, Kathryn de Wit, Angela Siefer, Shirley Bloomfield, @agomezfcc.bsky.social & Jessica Rosenworcel for their work breaking down barriers to digital opportunity.

www.cnet.com/home/interne...

Broadband Breakfast on March 12, 2025 - 5 Years On: Where Is Broadband Now? We’re also inviting you - our audience - to share your thoughts!

Tomorrow! Join Brian Vo for the 5th anniversary of Broadband Breakfast Live Online as we reflect on five years of broadband policy, deployment, and digital transformation.

Hosted by Drew Clark, with Deborah A. Lathen, @jakevarn.bsky.social & Gary Wood.

🔗 broadbandbreakfast.com/broadband-br...

NDIA has been publishing great stories about how digital navigators help older Americans build the skills to use telehealth services, avoid online scams, keep in touch with family, and much more.

Here's the latest: www.digitalinclusion.org/blog/buildin...

Barton-Garcia discusses the RGV Broadband and Digital Opportunity Plan – Rio Grande Guardian The RGV Broadband Coalition unveiled its RGV Broadband and Digital Opportunity Plan at the offices of the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council.

📡 Broadband fuels opportunity.

Jordana Barton-Garcia spoke with Rio Grande Guardian about the launch of the RGV Digital Opportunity Plan to expand internet access and economic growth in the region.

Learn more 🔗 riograndeguardian.com/barton-garci...

New Brattle Study Finds the Affordable Connectivity Program Pays for Itself - Brattle In a new report released today, experts from The Brattle Group provide an economic analysis of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) – which offered

The numbers are in. New report confirms ACP more than paid for itself:

📌 $29B in annual healthcare savings
📌 $3.7B+ in future earnings from better student performance
📌 Billions in wage gains

We must keep investing in closing the digital divide.

🔗 www.brattle.com/insights-eve...

A digital opportunity plan in the Rio Grande Valley Broadband Coalition Launches Plan to Bridge the Digital Divide and Expand Opportunity in South Texas

Big day for the Rio Grande Valley! 🎉

The RGV Broadband Coalition is launching the Digital Opportunity Plan in Weslaco, TX — expanding high-speed internet, boosting digital skills, and creating economic opportunities.

Learn more 🔗 connecthumanity.fund/broadband-co...

YouTube video by Institute for Local Self-Reliance Municipal Broadband and Innovative Financing Models: Unlocking Economic Growth

I'll be sharing some highlights from the @ilsr.bsky.social @communitynets.bsky.social municipal fiber financing webinar with the American Association for Public Broadband that just started with Gigi Sohn! www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLh8...

Rural communities need clarity on government funding With federal broadband funding in the balance, rural leaders share why this support is critical for expansion efforts.

Communities are working flat out to expand fast, reliable internet access. But to succeed, they need clarity on funding.

In this post, 5 leaders working to expand broadband in rural Appalachia share why DEA and BEAD programs are critical.

connecthumanity.fund/to-expand-br...

Connect Humanity 2024 Highlights 10 ways Connect Humanity and our partners advanced broadband and community development in 2024.

In 2024, we focused on empowering communities to build the connectivity needed to thrive. From Appalachia to the Rio Grande Valley and beyond, we’ve saw firsthand how broadband drives economic growth, fuels innovation, and transforms lives.

🔗 Find out how: connecthumanity.fund/story/connec...

Introducing Neon Lights, in Eastern Kentucky Meet Jeff and Cheryl Hawkins, two residents leading a community-driven effort to expand access to internet connectivity, skills, and opportunity.

When floods hit Fleming-Neon in 2022, Cheryl & Jeff Hawkins jumped into action, offering their building as an emergency response centre.

Now, they’re working to create a high-tech hub to help bring life & jobs back to their town.

💡 Learn more: connecthumanity.fund/neon-lights-...

Congress, Don't Drop Affordable Broadband The Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act was introduced one year ago today

🖊️ Congress, Don't Drop Affordable Broadband, by Adrianne B. Furniss & Drew Garner.

Via Benton Institute: www.benton.org/blog/congres...

Why Williston is All-In on Community Broadband Aaron Mills, IT Director for City of Williston, shares the journey towards building municipal fiber.

Great to see the City of Williston advance plans to build a city-owned fiber broadband network 👏

connecthumanity.fund/why-the-city...