Latest news with #BroadbandEquity
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Winncom Technologies Launches BEAD Grant Writing Reimbursement Program to Help Navigate Major Federal Policy Shift
SOLON, Ohio, June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 6, 2025, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce, announced sweeping revisions to the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. The changes—outlined in a new Policy Notice—eliminate the previous fiber-only preference in favor of a technology-neutral framework. For the first time, providers using Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), satellite, and hybrid models will be evaluated on equal footing with fiber networks. While these changes reduce regulatory burdens and open the door to innovation, they also require that all previously submitted BEAD proposals be revised and resubmitted—within just 90 days. For many providers, that is a logistical and financial challenge. To meet this moment, Winncom Technologies is expanding its BEAD Grant Writing Assistance Program with a new reimbursement model. Customers who leverage Winncom's in-house team for grant writing support will now receive a 75% credit toward product purchases across its entire vendor portfolio, effectively reducing the upfront risk of applying. "BEAD applicants are under pressure to rework plans quickly—and in many cases, completely rethink their deployment strategy," said VP of Sales & Business Development at Winncom Technologies. "We built our reimbursement model so that service providers can pivot confidently, without the high financial burden that usually comes with hiring a grant writer." Winncom's program, originally launched in early 2024, has already guided dozens of ISPs, rural cooperatives, and municipal utilities through the application process. With the new NTIA rules prioritizing performance and cost-efficiency over fiber exclusivity, Winncom's multi-technology expertise—spanning FWA, and fiber—positions it as a strategic partner in this next phase of BEAD funding. "This isn't just about writing a grant—it's about helping our customers win," adds Aaron Savy. "Whether you're re-submitting a fiber build or now considering Fixed Wireless Access (3.5GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz, 60GHz) for the first time, our team is here to help you put together a competitive, compliant application before the clock runs out." For more information on Winncom's BEAD Grant Writing Assistance Program, including reimbursement eligibility and service scope, visit or contact bead@ About Winncom Technologies: Winncom Technologies, a global value-added distributor of wireless and wired broadband equipment offers the most advanced forms of communication by providing customers with cutting-edge, industry-leading products and solutions. With a far-reaching international scope, Winncom remains at the forefront of the global technology marketplace, demonstrating a reputation for quality products, a full range of network infrastructure and access products, and a customer-centric business model. We offer one of the industry's most notable product portfolios along with scalable solutions, world-class customer service, engineering services, network design, and outstanding more information, visit: Valuable Winncom Technologies Resources: Winncom Technologies' Grant Writing Services Brochure Grant Writing Assistance Program Winncom Technologies' BEAD Program Dept of Commerce BEAD Restructuring Policy Official Notice Schedule an Application Review Meeting View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Winncom Technologies, Corp Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Broadband is the bridge to a better future. Why are West Virginians still waiting?
Around 25% of West Virginians live without access to high-speed internet. (Trumzz | Getty Images) In the heart of West Virginia's rural landscape, the promise of new job opportunities through online training is overshadowed by a glaring problem: a lack of reliable broadband access. For residents like Dee and Bobby, this digital divide isn't just an inconvenience; it's a barrier to building better lives and a more prosperous future. Dee, in Wyoming County, is trying to restart her life after battling addiction and losing custody of her children. Last month, she enrolled in an online training program that promised to prepare her for a remote customer service job. Such jobs could be a lifeline in rural counties like hers, where traditional employment is scarce. But Dee immediately hit a roadblock. Her home internet failed to meet the minimum speed requirements for a remote interview, let alone sustained remote work. Her hopes faded because of infrastructure deficiencies outside her control. Despite her resolve, her ability to secure a sustainable livelihood and rebuild her family remains on hold. Bobby, a resident of a remote holler in Putnam County, has a similar story. He enrolled in an Adult Collegiate Education program to become an HVAC technician, aiming to increase his earning potential. But when winter weather made it unsafe to drive out of the holler, he lacked the internet access needed to keep up with coursework. Like many in rural communities without broadband, Bobby isn't being held back by a lack of ambition or ability, but by the absence of a basic prerequisite most Americans take for granted. These stories aren't isolated. They represent the daily struggles of the 25% of West Virginians who live without access to high-speed internet. Nationwide, the digital divide still affects more than 14 million people, mostly in rural and low-income areas. But the gap is particularly stubborn in West Virginia, where rugged terrain and sparse populations make traditional broadband expansion more expensive, and where broadband buildouts have too often stalled due to bureaucratic delays. The situation is worsening. Communities can no longer count on promised funding from federal initiatives like the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program to materialize on time or to support the most effective technologies. Meanwhile, deployment delays continue as providers and utilities argue over who will pay to replace aging poles. These fights have little to do with the lives at stake. But this doesn't have to be the end of the story. In McKee, Kentucky, a town tucked into the Appalachian Mountains like many in West Virginia, a nonprofit called the People's Rural Telephone Cooperative (PRTC) has shown what's possible. With support from federal funds, local investment, and a clear community mandate, PRTC has built and maintained a fiber broadband network that now offers above-average speeds. The project connected residents not just to the internet, but to jobs. More than 600 work-from-home positions have been created in partnership with job-training nonprofits, and the region has seen its unemployment rate drop by an astonishing five percentage points. This model works because it is rooted in local ownership and accountability. It treats broadband not as a speculative venture for private profit but as public infrastructure, no less vital than roads or electricity. It also aligns broadband access with workforce development from the start, ensuring people are trained for the very jobs that connectivity unlocks. West Virginia can replicate this success. Local organizations must be empowered and funded to close broadband gaps, while aligning closely with job-training providers to meet community needs. Strategic investment in community-based broadband cooperatives, especially those leveraging fiber, can create jobs in installation, maintenance, and the digital economy. Broadband access is not a luxury. It is the foundation for economic mobility in the 21st century. Without it, education, career advancement, health care and entrepreneurship are out of reach. And without those, rural residents remain locked in cycles of poverty and dependence, no matter how hard they work. If we're serious about creating real economic opportunity in West Virginia, we must stop waiting for ideal conditions and start investing in real solutions. That means prioritizing broadband expansion as a matter of economic justice. Until people like Dee and Bobby have a fair shot at success, none of us should be satisfied. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
CNET
10-06-2025
- Business
- CNET
Starlink Doubled Its Speed In Two Years. It Still Doesn't Meet the FCC's Minimum
Starlink is nearly twice as fast as it was two years ago, according to a new report from the speed test site Ookla. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.) Median download speeds from the satellite internet provider have steadily ticked up over the past few years, going from 53.95 megabits per second in 2022 to 104.71Mbps today. That's an impressive feat considering Starlink added about 5 million customers over the same period and recently passed the 6 million mark globally. Ookla 'With Starlink's substantial increase to its median upload and download speeds and ability to deliver broadband speeds of 100/20 Mbps to nearly 20% of Speedtest users across the country, the satellite provider is becoming an increasingly attractive broadband option for many,' wrote Ookla's editorial director, Sue Marek. Starlink accomplished that by drastically increasing its capacity. At the beginning of 2022, the company had about 1,761 satellites in orbit; today, that number stands at 7,607, according to Jonathan McDowell, an astronomer who maintains a catalog of space objects. SpaceX, the company that owns Starlink, has said it eventually hopes to have as many as 42,000 satellites in space. It's going to need them. Recent changes to the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program could funnel as much as $20 billion in government subsidies to Starlink for providing internet in rural areas. But many industry experts are skeptical that Starlink can add millions of new customers without sacrificing speed. Locating local internet providers That's a reasonable concern. Ookla's data shows that only 17.4% of Starlink customers are currently getting internet speeds that meet the FCC's definition of minimum broadband speeds: 100Mbps download and 20Mbps upload. That's also a requirement to receive BEAD money. While most subscribers are meeting the 100Mbps download speed threshold, Starlink's median upload speeds are just 14.84Mbps. Latency, or the time it takes data to get from your computer to where it's going, is also on the high side -- 45 milliseconds (ms) compared to 12ms for the country as a whole. CNET recommends around 50ms or lower for activities like online gaming. In Oct. 2024, Maine began offering free Starlink dishes to residents in its 'hardest-to-reach locations.' I asked Brian Allenby, the senior director with the Maine Connectivity Authority, if he was concerned about Starlink hitting that 100/20Mbps benchmark in a previous interview. "We have a very granular level of reporting through the Starlink portal, and it has all been compliant," Allenby said. "So we don't have immediate concerns about that." A representative for Starlink did not immediately respond to a request for comment. States that qualify for a free Starlink dish had higher speeds The Starlink experience can vary dramatically depending on where you live. Last week, the company instituted a "demand fee" of $500 in the Pacific Northwest to combat congestion in high-use areas. In other states with more capacity available, it's giving customers the $349 satellite dish for free. Ookla took a look at the areas where Starlink is offering free equipment and found that all of them, except West Texas and Alaska, had median download speeds over 100Mbps. South Dakota, Rhode Island and Wyoming had the highest percentage of customers meeting the 100/20Mbps benchmark, while Alaska, Mississippi and Louisiana had the lowest.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Broadband Market Size to Reach USD 960.14 Billion by 2031, Driven by Experiences Significant Growth Owing to Growing Demand for High-Speed Internet and Global Internet Penetration
NEW YORK, June 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - According to a new comprehensive report from The Insight Partners, the global broadband market is observing significant growth owing to growing demand for high-speed Internet and rising internet penetration. The report runs an in-depth analysis of market trends, key players, and future opportunities. In general, the broadband market comprises a vast array of type, network, end-users, and geography, which are expected to register strength during the coming years. To explore the valuable insights in the Broadband Market report, you can easily download a sample PDF of the report: Overview of Report Findings Market Growth: The Broadband Market was valued at US$ 505.43 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach US$ 960.14 billion by 2031; it is expected to register a CAGR of 9.6% during 2025–2031. Market Dynamics and Insights: As the broadband sector undergoes a significant transformation, it stands at a pivotal moment shaped by a convergence of public funding initiatives and rapid technological progress. Federal investments—particularly through programs like the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) initiative—are accelerating the expansion of broadband infrastructure into rural and underserved communities across the United States. In 2024, these efforts gained momentum as BEAD began allocating funds to states based on local connectivity needs, helping close the digital divide and ensure equitable access to high-speed Internet. Simultaneously, the integration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and automation is reshaping network demands. As digital services become increasingly data-intensive and latency-sensitive, the need for robust, scalable, and future-proof broadband networks is more pressing than ever. Fiber-optic technology, with its capacity for high bandwidth and reliability, is set to play a central role in supporting these evolving requirements. Regional Insights: According to the GSMA's Mobile Economy Asia Pacific 2024 report, the mobile industry in the Asia Pacific region is poised to contribute over US$ 1 trillion to the regional economy by 2030. This projected growth, driven by the accelerated adoption of 5G technologies, is expected to outpace global averages. In 2023, mobile technologies and services accounted for 5.3% of the region's GDP, translating to an economic value of approximately $880 billion. This contribution is largely attributed to increased productivity and digital transformation across key sectors such as manufacturing and fintech. The mobile sector's economic impact in Asia Pacific is forecast to grow by 15% between 2023 and 2030, compared to a 12% global average. This strong momentum in mobile connectivity directly supports the growth of the broadband market in Asia Pacific. The expansion of 5G infrastructure, coupled with rising demand for high-speed Internet to support digital transformation initiatives, is fueling investment and innovation in broadband technologies. As businesses and consumers increasingly rely on robust digital networks, broadband adoption in the region is expected to accelerate, reinforcing Asia Pacific's position as a leading growth market in the global broadband landscape. Geographical Insights: Asia Pacific is expected to dominate the broadband market with the highest market share in 2024. Stay Updated on The Latest Broadband Market Trends: Market Segmentation In terms of type, the broadband market is segmented into fixed broadband and mobile broadband. Based on the network, the market is divided into 3G, LTE/4G, and 5G. In terms of end-users, the market is segmented into industrial, commercial, and others. The broadband market is segmented into five major regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South & Central America. Competitive Strategy and Development Key Players: A few major companies operating in the broadband market include AT&T, China Telecom Corporation Limited, Comcast Corporation, BT Group, Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, Reliance Jio, Verizon, and Vodafone Group Plc., among others. Trending Topics: AI and Network Automation in Broadband, LEO Satellite Broadband, among others Global Headlines on the Broadband Market "AT&T has reached an agreement to acquire substantially all of Lumen's Mass Markets fiber business for $5.75 billion, subject to purchase price adjustments, in an all-cash transaction that will expand investment in critical U.S. connectivity infrastructure, create new middle-class jobs, and accelerate high-speed fiber internet access to millions of Americans." "Nokia announced that it was selected by Internet service provider Outer Reach Broadband to deploy a next-generation fiber network across rural Maine. The expansive network enables Outer Reach to bring new, enhanced multi-gigabit broadband services to homes and businesses, helping to reduce the digital divide and foster local economic development. Outer Reach Broadband is focused on closing Maine's digital divide by providing fast, reliable, and affordable internet access. With Nokia's fiber solution, it will be able to provide customers with a 10 Gbps symmetrical broadband service that will help significantly enhance the user experience. The solution is also ready for 25G to address future needs." Purchase Premium Copy of Global Broadband Market Size and Growth Report (2021-2031) at: Conclusion Broadband refers to high-speed internet access that is always on and faster than traditional dial-up connections. It encompasses various transmission technologies, including fiber-optic, cable, DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), satellite, and fixed wireless access (FWA), enabling the rapid transfer of large amounts of data for applications such as video streaming, cloud computing, online education, and real-time communication. The growth of the broadband market is driven by several key factors: rising global demand for high-speed and reliable Internet, increased consumption of digital content, the proliferation of smart devices and Internet of Things (IoT) applications, and the growing shift toward remote work and virtual learning. Additionally, advancements in technologies such as 5G and AI are fueling network automation and efficiency, while government-backed initiatives and funding programs—such as the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program in the U.S. and BharatNet in India—are expanding infrastructure into rural and underserved areas. The rising need for digital inclusion, enterprise digital transformation, and smart city development further reinforce the momentum behind broadband expansion, making it a critical enabler of socioeconomic growth in both developed and emerging markets. The report from The Insight Partners, therefore, provides several stakeholders—including network equipment manufacturers, telecom operators & internet service providers, regulators & government agencies, and end-users—with valuable insights into how to successfully navigate this evolving market landscape and unlock new opportunities. Talk to Us Directly: Trending Related Reports: About Us: The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We specialize in industries such as Semiconductor and Electronics, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive and Transportation, Biotechnology, Healthcare IT, Manufacturing and Construction, Medical Device, Technology, Media and Telecommunications, Chemicals and Materials. Logo: Contact Us:If you have any queries about this report or if you would like further information, please contact us:Contact Person: Ankit MathurE-mail: +1-646-491-9876 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE The Insight Partners
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump's broadband program overhaul favors Musk tech, strips low-cost plans
Residents of western North Carolina gather near a fire station last fall to access Wi-Fi service in the wake of Hurricane Helene. The region is among the areas meant to benefit from the BEAD program for rural broadband access. (Photo by Melissa) The Trump administration on Friday released revised rules for a federal program meant to widely expand broadband access, stripping the Biden-era effort of many key requirements and making it easier for Elon Musk's company to win grants. Under the revised guidelines, the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program, known as BEAD, will take a technology-neutral approach to expanding broadband access rather than focusing on fiber internet. The original program favored fiber because of its speed, reliability and ability to reach remote locations. The change opens the door for more internet providers to use BEAD grants for technologies including satellite internet service, which is provided by Elon Musk's Starlink. Under the new rules, Starlink could receive $10 billion to $20 billion in BEAD money, up from $4.1 billion the company would have received under the original rules, according to The Wall Street Journal. Groups applying for BEAD funding also will no longer be required to offer a low-cost service option for internet users in locations they are serving. Some states had proposed services as low as $30 a month. Instead, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration now encourages internet providers to propose their 'existing, market driven low-cost plans' to meet the cost requirement. A lagging broadband program faces more delays as Trump plans changes As part of the Trump administration's push to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives within the government, the new guidelines also remove provisions that encouraged states to work with companies and representatives from minority communities. Requirements related to labor, the environment and climate change also were cut. And the agency eliminated a provision of the original program that encouraged states to seek out non-traditional providers, including municipalities or political subdivisions that provide internet service. Louisiana's, Nevada's and Delaware's proposals, which had been approved, will be rescinded. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick promised to launch a rigorous review of the BEAD program in March, saying in a statement that because of 'woke mandates, favoritism towards certain technologies and burdensome regulations, the program has not connected a single person to the internet and is in dire need of a readjustment.' In April, the Trump administration gave states an additional 90 days to submit their final plans for the $42.45 billion program in anticipation of the changes, further delaying an effort that's set to go back to the planning phase after more than three years. Evan Feinman, the former director of the BEAD program, said states will now have to rework their proposals again. 'For some reason, [Secretary] Lutnick, who said the program was going too slowly, wants to slow the program down much more, force states and the private sector to do a ton of extra work and spend a bunch of extra taxpayer money all so we can get worse connections to people that will cost them more every month,' he said. The Internet & Television Association, a trade association representing the broadband and cable industries, praised the new guidelines in a statement, saying, 'We welcome changes to the BEAD program that will make the program more efficient and eliminate onerous requirements, which add unnecessary costs that impede broadband deployment efforts.' But Drew Garner, the director of policy engagement at the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, said in a statement that the changes will 'cement the digital divide for decades.' The Benton Institute is a nonprofit organization championing digital access for all. '[Lutnick] is hurting our economic competitiveness, our healthcare and education, and our ability to work and stay connected with loved ones,' Garner said in the statement. 'He is denying rural Americans access to the modern economy and our increasingly connected world.' Stateline reporter Madyson Fitzgerald can be reached at mfitzgerald@ SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
