The broadband infrastructure in this nation has been uniquely tested during the COVID-19 pandemic. The July edition of the magazine examines both the strengths and weaknesses of this critical infrastructure from a variety of perspectives. Click here to access the electronic version of the July 2020 edition.

There are online materials and resources, ranging from television programs to national and local news that are included in this Web Extra to add value to the articles in the print edition.
Public Service Commission
FY21 Broadband Expansion Grants
On June 8, 2020, Governor Tony Evers and Rebecca Cameron Valcq, Chairperson of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, announced key applications dates for the next round of grants available from the Broadband Expansion Grant Program.

  • The applications will be available on September 1, 2020.
  • The applications will be due on December 1, 2020.

In this grant round $24 million has been made available to applicants to help expand broadband internet to unserved areas of the state. Detailed instructions will be released on September 1, 2020; however, many resources from previous rounds are available on the grant program's webpage. Click here to visit.
PEW Charitable Trust Podcast
THE BROADBAND GAP
Who's Not Online in America Today?

While most Americans are managing remote work, learning, and even participating in social gatherings online during the pandemic, there are still millions of Americans who don’t have access to high-speed internet where they live. Kathryn de Wit, manager of Pew’s broadband research initiative, explains who’s not online and shares what some states and communities are doing to bridge connectivity gaps. Click here to listen to the podcast.
WISCONSIN COUNTIES ASSOCIATION
Forward Analytics to Study Broadband
The COVID-19 pandemic has put in sharp relief the need to ensure all households in Wisconsin, in rural areas as well as towns and cities, have access to adequate broadband. To this end, it is crucial to identify unserved and underserved areas in the state, and empower local service providers and local units of government to seek and receive support from the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin and the Federal Communications Commission.

Due to the critical importance of this topic, Forward Analytics is conducting a deeper dive into broadband infrastructure, looking at the economic importance of broadband, the unserved or underserved areas of the state, and the different means of expanding broadband in Wisconsin. The analysis and findings will be published in one or more reports later this year. If you have questions about this upcoming series, contact either Dale Knapp or Jack Votava via email, or call 608-663-7088.