Latest news with #digitalaccess
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Maine delegation urges Trump administration to unfreeze digital equity grants
May 21—Maine's congressional delegation is urging the Commerce Department to reverse its freeze of nearly $35 million in grant funding intended to expand digital access for low-income and rural Mainers. In a letter sent to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and acting Administrator Adam Cassady Wednesday evening, the delegation noted that Maine is among the most rural states in the country, leaving its residents particularly vulnerable. "Maine is especially affected by this decision, which will have an outsized impact on Maine families, small businesses and communities. The programs created by the grants would ensure access across Maine to the necessary technology and skills to participate in the digital economy," states the letter signed by Reps. Jared Golden, D-2nd District, and Chellie Pingree, D-1st District, and Sens. Susan Collins, a Republican, and Angus King, an independent. The letter comes about two weeks after President Donald Trump said his administration would terminate the Digital Equity Act, which allocated more than $2 billion to help states and territories develop and implement plans to expand internet access. The act was included in the bipartisan infrastructure law, which former President Joe Biden signed in 2021. View this document on Scribd Trump announced his intention in a post on his Truth Social platform May 8, in which he called the act "totally UNCONSTITUTIONAL" and charged that it is "RACIST and ILLEGAL." The next day, the administration formally notified the Maine Connectivity Authority of the terminations. The authority, established in 2021, is the state office tasked with expanding broadband access and infrastructure throughout the state. Maine had already been approved for three different grants: $10 million to help expand internet and technology access throughout the state, including through a device donation program; $13.8 million to provide digital skills training, technical support and telehealth access; and $11 million that would offer tech and skills trainings to municipal governments, device programs and business support programs. "This funding would serve more than 40,000 Mainers throughout the state who continue to face significant challenges in securing and maintaining internet connectivity," the delegation wrote. "This funding is essential in our state, where more than half of older residents, small businesses, veterans, low-income households, tribal communities and students are in rural areas." Spokespeople for the Commerce Department did not return emails Wednesday night asking how its leadership responded to the letter. Golden, Pingree, Collins and King all criticized the cut when it was first announced. In concluding this week's letter, they called Maine's allocated funding "a smart investment." "Terminating these funds will increase the difficulties for individuals and families to use the internet to improve their lives and fully participate in an increasingly digital world," they wrote. Copy the Story Link
Zawya
16-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Orange Middle East and Africa and the International Finance Corporation are joining forces to accelerate digital connectivity in West and Central Africa
Orange Middle East and Africa (OMEA) ( and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) signed a partnership to sustainably strengthen digital access in eight African countries at the Africa CEO Forum held in Abidjan on 12 and 13 May. OMEA and IFC are joining forces to develop more inclusive and sustainable digital connectivity in often underserved areas of West and Central Africa. This unprecedented partnership aims to mobilize the complementary expertise of both actors. IFC, the World Bank Group's private sector-focused institution, will bring its expertise in development finance, while OMEA will capitalize on its local roots and strong network in the region. Thus, various telecommunications infrastructure construction and deployment projects (towers, fibre etc.) in the target countries will be carried out in the coming years. This collaboration builds on initiatives already supported by IFC, such as supporting the first-ever securitisation in the telecommunications sector in West Africa ( and providing sustainable funding to Sonatel. These two operations, for a total amount of approximately $75 million in 2024, allow Sonatel to strengthen the country's digital infrastructure and expand 4G coverage and fiber-optic connectivity in rural areas of Senegal. Together, the two partners aim to provide a replicable investment model aimed at bridging the digital divide, fostering financial inclusion, strengthening territorial resilience and creating jobs, particularly in the digital economy. Jérôme Hénique, CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa says: 'This partnership with IFC is a major step forward in accelerating our ambition to bridge the digital divide by providing quality, sustainable and accessible connectivity for as many people as possible, especially in rural or underserved areas. By combining our forces, we want to build a more equitable digital future for all in Africa'. 'Increasing access to digital connectivity in Africa is a key priority for fostering innovation, broadening financial inclusion and generating employment opportunities. The strengthening of our partnership with Orange Middle East and Africa illustrates our commitment to positioning digital as a strategic lever for sustainable economic transformation, to the benefit of individuals and companies' adds Ethiopis Tafara, IFC Vice President for Africa. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Orange Middle East and Africa. Contacts Press: Stella Fumey Contacts Press: Abdoul Maiga amaiga7@ About Orange Middle East and Africa (OMEA): Orange is present in 18 countries in Africa and the Middle East and has 161 million customers on 31 December 2024. With 7.7 billion euros of revenues in 2024, Orange MEA is the first growth area in the Orange group. Orange Money, its flagship mobile-based money transfer and financial services offer is available in 17 countries and has more than 100 million customers. Orange, multi-services operator, key partner of the digital transformation provides its expertise to support the development of new digital services in Africa and the Middle East. About IFC: The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, is the world's leading private sector-led development aid institution in emerging markets. With a presence in more than 100 countries, IFC mobilizes its capital, expertise and partnerships to create opportunities, improve living conditions and foster inclusive and sustainable growth. In fiscal year 2024, IFC committed a record $56 billion to the private sector, contributing to global job creation and poverty reduction. For more information, visit
