This conversation focuses on how municipalities are working with private partners to deploy broadband infrastructure in the era of Covid-19. Panelists include representatives from Google Fiber, TING, C-Spire, and Fresno, California, discussing successful broadband partnerships.

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An economic study of the fiber infrastructure in Hamilton County, Tennessee, and the city of Chattanooga between 2011 and 2020. The study estimates that it added more than $2.6 billion to the local economy and created more than 9,500 jobs.

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The National Telecommunications and Information Administration plans to create a program that makes grants to eligible entities for the construction, improvement, or acquisition of middle-mile broadband infrastructure. The Middle Mile Grants Program seeks to encourage the expansion of middle-mile infrastructure and to promote network resiliency.

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This article makes the case for Congress to redefine broadband as having a minimum speed of 100/100 Mbps. The authors argue that these and faster symmetrical speeds, reachable only by fiber deployment, are best suited to meet future consumer demands.

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This resource from the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition provides an analysis of the March 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, specifically what the funding supports and how effectively it addresses closing the connectivity gap. The piece concludes that the Act failed in several areas and additional funding for broadband deployment is necessary.

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This resource describes the Fiber Optic Master Plan for the City of San Leandro, California. It discusses such recent initiatives as the deployment of public Wi-Fi, high-speed connectivity to schools, and smart LED street lights. The piece also offers actions federal and state government leaders can take to help close the digital divide.

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This piece explains the significance of Arkansas and Mississippi broadband preemption laws being overturned, and the effect the change in laws has on local governments, specifically rural broadband deployment.

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This piece explores the role of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee in shaping policy at the Federal Communications Commission. Specifically, the piece describes challenges regarding the Committee's industry-heavy membership.

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This piece describes connectivity initiatives by the City of Mesa, Arizona. It calls upon Congress to eliminate state broadband barriers, invest in federal broadband deployment programs, and preserve local land-use authority.

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