We’re hiring! The Benton Institute is looking for an Editor/Communications Manager to help us make complex broadband and technology policy accessible to a wider audience. Please apply or share with someone who might be interested. www.benton.org/about/job-op...

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Location: Remote (U.S.-based) Employment Type: Full-time The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society is seeking an exceptional editor and communications professional to help turn complex ideas about ...

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Last week, we convened industry, government, academia, and public-interest leaders for a conversation about the future of communications policy, covering everything from broadband markets and universal service to data centers and public oversight. 🏛️ Stream it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ttur...

A New Compact for Connectivity: Internet Infrastructure in the Public Interest

YouTube video by Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

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That’s a wrap on "A New Compact for Connectivity." 📡 This afternoon, we covered universal service, federal oversight, “right-sized” municipal data centers, and what 1920s electrification can teach us about internet infrastructure today. Missed it? Stream here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ttur...

From examining how longstanding communications principles translate to today’s internet infrastructure to outlining the forces reshaping the broadband marketplace, we've covered a lot of ground at this morning's convening. 📡 Join us for our afternoon sessions here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ttur...

Happening now! 📡 Starting at 10 a.m. ET, we’re bringing together voices from across communications policy to ask what the next compact for connectivity should look like. Follow the conversation live from Washington, D.C.: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ttur...

A New Compact for Connectivity: Internet Infrastructure in the Public Interest

YouTube video by Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

youtube.com

Join today’s “A New Compact for Connectivity” convening online here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ttur...

A New Compact for Connectivity: Internet Infrastructure in the Public Interest

YouTube video by Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

youtube.com

The internet is essential. Our laws should treat it as such. 💻 Ahead of this morning's convening, “A New Compact for Connectivity,” Revati Prasad makes the case for updating communications policy with better networks, better markets, and better institutions. www.benton.org/blog/interne...

The Internet is Essential Infrastructure. We Should Govern It Accordingly.

We need a new law that governs communications as we use them now, not as they existed when America Online told us, “You’ve got mail.”

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What should the next social contract for connectivity look like in the age of AI? 🤖 Blair Levin argues that it starts with asking the right questions about networks, public investment, consumer protection, and the institutions charged with oversight. Read it here: www.benton.org/blog/asking-...

Asking the Right Questions for the Next Social Contract

What should the social contract be between the communications sector, the government, and the public in the next two decades?

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Who minds the store when the rules of oversight are changing? 🏛️ This week, experts will discuss the future of federal oversight, how institutions maintain expertise and independence, and the growing role states may play in ensuring accountability. Join us: forms.gle/z1oa3XFUdjAT...

Last call to join us in-person for “A New Compact for Connectivity: Internet Infrastructure in the Public Interest,” a one-day convening to explore the next generation of communications policy. Register: forms.gle/z1oa3XFUdjAT...

Universal service takes more than building networks. It also means making sure people can afford to connect. 🛜 Next week, experts will ask what deployment and adoption policies have delivered, where they fall short, and what should come next. Join us in DC: forms.gle/z1oa3XFUdjAT...

What if cities built some of their own AI infrastructure? 🏗️ Preston Rhea argues for small, municipally-owned data centers that could give communities greater control over public services, sensitive data, and resilience. Read here and join him next week: www.benton.org/blog/public-...

Public Municipal Data Centers

. Amid calls for blanket moratoria and investments in data centers in space, how can the public assert a controlling interest in the development and outcomes of this technology?

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What can Twilight teach us about broadband policy? More than you might think. 🤔 Christopher Ali’s new Digital Beat takes on rate regulation, “overbuilding,” and technology neutrality, with a little help from Edward Cullen. Read it here and join us Sept 24: www.benton.org/blog/broadba...

Broadband Heresies: Or, what Twilight, Harry Potter, X-Men, and The Incredibles can teach us about telecommunications policy

As the great pop culture intellectual George Bernard Shaw noted, “Every great new truth begins as blasphemy.” Heretics have a way of becoming heroes. Let’s embrace Team Edward and start thinking about...

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The Telecommunications Act of 1996 was written in the era of dial-up modems and must-see cable TV. Thirty years later, which of its core principles still hold, which need rethinking, and what should guide communications policy for the future? 🤔 Join us Sept. 24: forms.gle/z1oa3XFUdjAT...

Next month, join Benton for “A New Compact for Connectivity,” a one-day convening assembling leaders from industry, government, academia, and the public-interest community to explore the next generation of communications policy. 📡 Register to attend in-person: forms.gle/z1oa3XFUdjAT...

Join us as we recommit to ensuring that all Americans have access to essential telecommunications services now and in the future. Read our new report, The Promise of Universal Service in the Telecommunications Act of 1996, here: www.benton.org/publications...

Benton Executive Director Dr. Revati Prasad is closing out our Telecom Act at 30 event. Listen to Dr. Prasad's remarks: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mfou...

Telecom Act at 30: Universal Service as the North Star

YouTube video by Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

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Philip Verveer and Gigi Sohn sit down for a fireside chat on the future of universal service at Telecom Act at 30 🛜 Watch now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mfou...

The second session of Telecom Act at 30 is now live! 🔊 A stacked group of experts is discussing how the Telecom Act of 1996 has shaped today’s broadband landscape while considering what universal service should mean for the next decade of connectivity. Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mfou...

Happening now: How a Bill Becomes a Law Our first panel discusses the Telecom Act’s lasting impact, moderated by Andy Schwartzman. Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mfou...

We're about to get started with Telecom Act at 30: Universal Service as the North Star! 📡 Join us at 12:40 pm ET as we kick off the event with our keynote speaker, Senator Ed Markey. Tune in here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mfou...

Telecom Act at 30: Universal Service as the North Star

YouTube video by Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

youtube.com

“Governmental action to ensure universal service has been part of American history since the days of Ben Franklin’s post office.” - VP Al Gore Join us as we explore what universal service should mean for the next decade of connectivity. RSVP: www.benton.org/event/teleco...

We’re honored to welcome @markey.senate.gov as the keynote speaker for Telecom Act at 30 next week! 📡 The program will also feature a fireside chat with Ambassador Philip Verveer and @gbsohn.bsky.social on the future of universal service. Register today: www.benton.org/event/teleco...

30 years ago, Congress promised universal service. That promise still isn’t fulfilled. Executive Director Dr. Revati Prasad reflects on what the Telecom Act got right, what comes next, and why we’re convening on March 5 to discuss the path forward. Read here: www.benton.org/blog/were-st...

Thirty Years After the Telecommunications Act, We’re Still Working to Realize the Promise of Universal Service

Essential infrastructure should be governed not only by market forces but also by a commitment to the public interest

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In 1996, Congress promised universal service. In 2026, we’re asking what that still means, and what comes next. 🤔 Join us March 5 in Washington, D.C. for “Telecom Act at 30,” a Benton-hosted gathering of broadband policy leaders. 🌐 Register here: www.benton.org/event/teleco...

What’s wrong with West Virginia’s BEAD plan? Asks Benton’s Drew Garner (and welcomes you to read and judge for yourself). www.benton.org/blog/whats-w...

What's Wrong With West Virginia's BEAD Proposal?

Monday, June 2, 2025 Digital Beat What's Wrong With West Virginia's BEAD Proposal? Read It And Judge For Yourself “When completed, the programs detailed in this Final Proposal will provide universal b...

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How can the most online President ever be against getting all Americans online? www.benton.org/blog/achievi...

Achieving Digital Equity is a Matter of Social and Economic Justice and is Worth Pursuing

Benton Institute for Broadband & Society statement on the announcement that the Trump administration will end Digital Equity Act programs

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This week, the Senate Commerce Committee held a confirmation hearing for Trump FCC nominee Olivia Trusty www.benton.org/blog/olivia-...

Olivia Trusty Gets Her Day With Senate Commerce

The policy priorities of the Trump Administration's FCC nominee Olivia Trusty.

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FCC Chairman launched a proceeding called DELETE, DELETE, DELETE but maybe we need to Control-Alt-Delete before he does any more harm www.benton.org/blog/lets-co...

Let's Control-Alt-Delete on Delete, Delete, Delete

Federal Communications Commission, Chairman Brendan Carr is off the rails

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Trump's changes to the BEAD program aim to help just one person: Elon Musk. Our very own Drew Garner talks about really closing the digital divide on @npr.org's 1A.

The Trump administration, broadband internet, and closing the rural digital divide

Congress tried to close the internet gap. Now, the president wants to make a few changes.

the1a.org