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Rural Health Information Hub

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Rural Health
News by Topic: Broadband

May 15, 2019 - A tribe in rural Arizona is pushing for better internet access to support telehealth and online schoolwork. The underused Educational Broadband Services Program spectrum is one option they are pursuing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Source: Time
May 14, 2019 - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authorized $111.6 million to expand broadband access to rural homes and businesses in 12 states as part of the Connect America Fund Phase II auction. This initial funding is expected to provide broadband access to over 37,000 rural homes and businesses; more than 700,000 are expected to be connected in the next decade.
Source: Federal Communications Commission
May 2, 2019 - A new report from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) found that veterans tend to be older, more rural, and in need of more healthcare services. The report also found that while they would benefit from telehealth access, many of those veterans do not have reliable broadband, don't want it, or can't afford it.
Source: mHealthIntelligence
May 2, 2019 - The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) requests comments on an extension of a currently approved information collection related to the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program. Comments are due July 1.
Source: Federal Register
May 1, 2019 - The Wireline Competition Bureau released a revised 2019 Broadband Deployment Report after finding that a company overstated their deployment data. The revised report shows that rural Americans with access to high broadband speeds increased 85.1% in 2017.
Source: Federal Communications Commission
Apr 29, 2019 - The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) is now accepting applications for its community grant program, which will support rural telecommunications, economic development, education, arts, and tourism. Healthcare organizations are eligible to apply.
Source: NTCA—The Rural Broadband Association
Apr 29, 2019 - NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association is releasing a Smart Rural Communities recognition and award program. Smart Rural Communities will promote the role of rural broadband in healthcare, economic development, education, and energy distribution.
Source: NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association
Apr 29, 2019 - Changes to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Universal Service Fund will improve high-speed broadband service access in 43 states and 106,000 rural businesses and homes. The Alternative Connect American Cost Model (A-CAM) provides additional funding to help carriers improve broadband speeds.
Source: Federal Communications Commission
Apr 26, 2019 - Notice from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requesting comment on extension of a current information collection that is used to determine a rate floor for fixed voice and broadband services to help rural consumers have access to these services. Comments are due June 25, 2019.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 24, 2019 - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is sending representatives from their Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau on a rural outreach tour to consumers in the South East Region on May 6-10. Topics will include telehealth, broadband, call scams, and other telecommunications issues and the tour will include locations in South Carolina and Georgia.
Source: Federal Communications Commission