News

In the fall of 1966, two newly created programs took flight at the same time. One was a TV show and the other was a Research & Education Network. Both have changed the world and continue to do so today.…

By the end of this year, Michigan's digital divide may be on the verge of a rapid narrowing. Merit Network has a history of trailblazing. The country's oldest regional research and education network is continuing in that tradition with the…

Last year, the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) removed the annual legacy maintenance fee cap for Legacy Registration Services Agreements (RSAs). ARIN has so far capped total annual fees for LRSA customers, but that will change at the end…

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…

October 27, 2022 - High school teams from across Michigan came together for the finals of the 2022 Governor's High School Cyber Challenge, a cybersecurity competition hosted by the State of Michigan. The ten qualifying teams, composed of up to three…

Better Data Will Inform Decisions for Improving Service in County   Kent County, MI. - Kent County is asking residents and businesses to take a 15-question survey about Internet service at their households and locations. The survey asks whether high-speed ("broadband")…

Round 1 of the Governor’s High School Cyber Challenge has closed. We have our top 10 teams moving on to Round 2! More than 680 students competed in the challenge this year. The Governor’s High School Cyber Challenge is designed…

Better Data Will Inform Decisions for Improving Service in County   Lapeer County, MI. - Lapeer County is asking residents and businesses to take a 15-question survey about Internet service at their households and locations. The survey asks whether high-speed ("broadband")…