Category: Moonshot

The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to ensuring that all Americans have access to affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet service. As part of this goal NTIA has published a Request for Comment to help inform how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Digital…

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which includes the Digital Equity Act of 2021 (DEA), establishes a broad framework and significant funding to advance broadband connectivity and digital equity. The law recognizes key factors and populations to address when…

by Bob Stovall Merit Network   A great deal of Indian Country often lacks internet access, and often, connectivity solutions fall on the shoulders of Tribal community members. For the past two years, Tribal Broadband Bootcamps (TBB), co-founded by Matt Rantanen…

By Francella Ochillo  In regions where the digital divide is prevalent, the impact spreads far beyond households or businesses that lack reliable broadband connections. Concentrations of disconnected populations can put a strain on the entire community. There is a direct…

By Francella Ochillo TL;DR: Unlike previous federal grant programs that expanded access to high-speed Internet, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requires coordination with local stakeholders. Resources and best practices for state broadband offices looking to collaborate with local leaders…

Merit’s Michigan Moonshot broadband initiative is certainly not a typical activity for a Research & Education (R&E) network. In fact, Merit was the only R&E network in the nation working on such a statewide program in 2018, years before the…

By Francella Ochillo Michigan is known for its shorelines, world-class manufacturing and picturesque landscapes. For the hundreds of thousands of Michiganders who do not have access to high-speed Internet infrastructure, it is also well-known for its broadband gaps.  The digital…

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has released the Final Rule for the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Replacing the Interim Final Rule, the Final Rule (which takes effect April 1st)…

Merit Network Proud to be Among Partners Honored The Quello Center's Johannes M. Bauer and Keith Hampton will be recognized by Michigan State University on February 24 with the 2022 Distinguished Partnership Award for Community-Engaged Service. The award recognizes their…

In early 2020, the Washtenaw County Broadband Task Force collaborated with Merit Network on a citizen-scientist broadband data collection. Prior to the initiative, data provided by the Federal Communications Commission indicated that only 1.8% of households in the county outside…