This week in “What’s New in Digital Equity” — our weekly look at government digital equity and broadband news — we have a number of interesting items, which you can jump to with the links below:
STAKEHOLDERS URGE USF REFORMS
The Universal Service Fund (USF) helps maintain affordable access to telephone and broadband services. It was established to help people in low-income communities, in rural areas, and those served by schools and libraries to access phone and Internet service. USF also includes E-rate, which could be impacted by a shifting FCC balance; the commission is typically split along party lines, and without such an equilibrium, the E-rate program and a cybersecurity pilot could be affected.

A range of broadband stakeholders has submitted recommendations to the congressional USF Working Group to guide reforms to the fund. Many support its expansion.

The National Conference of State Legislatures, a bipartisan organization, was among the commenters, with CEO Tim Storey calling on the U.S. Congress to explore expanding the USF to support evolving technology needs. Doing so, the comments argue, would support public safety, cybersecurity, economic growth, education, telehealth, and emerging technologies.

NTCA — The Rural Broadband Association, along with 21 state broadband associations, submitted recommendations addressing topics including how USF programs should be evaluated and how specific reforms would impact the fund and its programs. The submission argued that broadband deployment is only part of the goal of this fund: universal service.

“Broadband networks once available are of little use to consumers if they are not affordable,” the submission stated, arguing that the USF is the only broadband initiative designed to address what it deems the four necessary components of achieving universal service: availability, affordability, sustainability and scalability.

The Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition also submitted comments, dubbing the USF “a critical funding resource for anchor institutions,” and underlining that learners — including those preparing to enter the workforce and veterans — would be at a disadvantage. Its comments also underline the importance of connectivity in meeting the nation’s AI targets.

The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation also submitted comments, arguing that universal broadband deployment is now a reality, but adoption and affordability remain barriers to universal service.

USTelecom — The Broadband Association’s comments argued that “the USF has been the indispensable engine driving America’s progress,” but said the engine requires a “tune up.”

In its comments, Public Knowledge said programs supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law should not be used as a means of delaying USF reforms; the comments argued the FCC has authority to act, and it should do so, involving other federal partners in the process.

Comments from the National Lifeline Association called for increasing the Lifeline subsidy amount and modifying the one-per-household rule to better achieve universal service.

The Consortium for School Networking and SETDA issued a joint statement on reforms, underlining the importance of the E-rate program for students in both private and public schools: “99% of public school students and 45% of private school students benefit from Internet access made possible by E-Rate.”

 

ARIZONA PARTNERSHIP SUPPORTS BROADBAND
A new partnership with Arizona government will support expanded broadband access in that state. Specifically, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and the Arizona Commerce Authority, with eX² Technology, have announced an agreement with Cox Communications to lease unused fibers along ADOT’s Interstate 17 right of way.

The 20-year agreement will complement the E-rate program grant project that aims to connect educational institutions along this corridor.

The state’s work to expand connectivity on this route, along with I-19 and I-40 west, is intended to form an open-access middle-mile network as part of the Arizona Statewide Middle-Mile Program. This program was designed to complement other initiatives supporting connectivity in the state, including the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program and E-rate.

COOK COUNTY UNVEILS DIGITAL INCLUSION EVENT
Cook County, Ill., has unveiled its plans for Digital Inclusion Week 2025, an annual, nationwide week of awareness and celebration of this work. It will be held from Oct. 6-10 this year.

The main event in the county will be Oct. 7: a learning symposium dubbed Access Amplified. More than 200 participants are expected to come together to explore strategies and share information about digital equity. The symposium is free and open to organizations and individuals interested in learning about how to advance digital equity goals.

Throughout the week, the county will feature more than 100 community-driven events including workshops and demonstrations, with virtual and in-person learning opportunities available.

Elsewhere, the city of Long Beach, Calif., recently unveiled its own plans for Digital Inclusion Week: a workshop series educating the community on AI, cybersecurity, and digital skills.
 

BRINGING FIBER TO OHIO NEIGHBORHOODS
DigitalC, a Cleveland-based nonprofit organization, is bringing Internet access to more areas in Ohio. The organization has supported Cleveland’s broadband expansion work and recently announced it would be expanding its reach to Detroit.

Now, the organization has received a $500,000 donation from Google Fiber (GFiber), including fixed wireless equipment from Tarana, helping DigitalC expand its home Internet service to more Ohio neighborhoods.

The organization’s citywide network first launched in January 2024 with support from public, private and philanthropic partners.

“This meaningful investment from GFiber adds bandwidth to our capacity to scale the Cleveland Model,” Joshua Edmonds, DigitalC CEO, said in a statement.
 

FIBER BROADBAND ASSOCIATION TO HOST WORKSHOPS
The Fiber Broadband Association will be hosting its 2026 Regional Fiber Connect Workshops in seven cities, convening fiber broadband leaders and community stakeholders to share information and deployment strategies. The events will explore expert-led discussions and lessons from real-world use cases.

Workshop topics include tribal broadband, Internet speed, and AI. They will be held in Oklahoma City; Indianapolis; Bozeman, Mont.; Omaha, Neb.; Boston; Savannah, Ga.; and Vancouver, Canada. They will take place from Feb. 5-Nov. 19, 2026.

The organization will also host its Fiber Connect 2026 event in May, for which it is seeking speakers to share their industry insight.

Fiber broadband has been deemed the “gold standard” of broadband technology infrastructure.