The Internet has become so entrenched in our daily lives that most people never reflect on the technological feats that allow it to happen. Around 85 percent of Americans report using the Internet daily, and millions of people rely on internet functions for their livelihood. Our economy is dependent upon…
With harsh winter conditions ramping up and COVID-19 requiring more people to quarantine or work remotely, broadband resiliency has never been more important. Unfortunately, storms often cause power failures, leaving many without electricity and even internet service when they need it most. In January, an extreme winter snowstorm in parts…
This blog series Technology Highlight explores some of the ways that investments in innovation lead to better outcomes for infrastructure and public safety. When technology advances, it often becomes cheaper, more widely available and accessible, and helps facilitate faster, safer, and greener projects. This series has highlighted…
Broadband and internet access is an increasingly important. While broadband may seem less important than other infrastructure, it has enormous implications. Rather than causing overt damage and harm like potholes or excavation damage do, lack of access to broadband hinders economic growth, access to information, and participation in additional services like…
The word infrastructure can mean different things to different people. To some, infrastructure refers to the roads, railways, and other transportation systems that connect us. To others, it is the schools, hospitals, and physical buildings that are occupied by organizations that serve society. Both are correct, given that the word…
As our nation faces a public health crisis in the form of the Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19, many are working or studying from home. With this mass transition from corporate or college life to homes and communities, the nation’s telecom and digital infrastructure could be under new and unprecedented use,…
Aii Trivia Question 2 – 7/2/18 Of the approximately 126 million households in the U.S., how many DO NOT have access to high speed Internet? 16% 53% Answer: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 126.22 million U.S. households in 2017. According to data aggregation website Statista, 106.07 million…
On March 31, the Federal Communications Commission will vote on a new plan for the Lifeline subsidy, which will help the program’s recipients apply the subsidy to mobile or fixed broadband should they choose to do so. The program originated in 1985 to provide discounted landline phone service to low-income…
Written by Shane Skelton, Aii Executive Director For the many Americans who still begrudge the major societal shift from cash to credit and debit cards, the future may become even more troublesome as mobile wallets become more common. What’s more, is that while mobile wallets are still catching on, a…
On December 2, 2015, the U.S. House of Representative’s Committee on Energy & Commerce’s Subcommittee on Communications and Technology held a markup (vote) on a discussion draft bill aimed at facilitating the deployment of broadband Internet service. Among other things, the bill aimed to remove barriers to broadband access by…
A contribution by Chanil N. De Silva; Policy Director at Nouveau Inc. High-speed Internet had in the past been associated with affluence, while many households used dial-up modems and many more had no Internet access at all. Over time, the Internet – initially developed as a defense resource – has become…
