Connect Humanity

Overheard in our team meeting this week: Knock-Knock. Who's there? Comcast. Comcast who? Please hold. This joke is very important to us. You are 524 in the queue. Thank you for waiting. We will be with you shortly. Have a good weekend folks!

A funding opportunity for community broadband networks from Internet Society ?? If interested, move fast. The deadline coming up fast. Good luck!

American Association for Public Broadband executive director Gigi Sohn pulls back the curtain on yet another industry effort to derail local people solving their broadband problems: "The Connect Willmar Initiative wasn’t born out of ideology — it was created because “local internet providers were not interested in improving Willmar’s internet infrastructure,”?according?to the city. Yet only after the initiative gained traction did Charter Communications swoop in, deploying its usual playbook. It propped up its fake consumer group, the Alliance for Quality Broadband — a front it has used elsewhere to derail public broadband efforts — and?blanketed the area with Facebook ads and mailers?warning that the initiative would “burn your tax dollars,” even though the city plans to pay for the network using bonds and other financial options, without an increase in taxes." https://lnkd.in/eSQaFm5c

End the week on a high note! Catch up on the 5-year anniversary edition of Broadband Breakfast Live Online, with top experts reflecting on the progress made towards closing the digital divide — and the challenges remaining. Featuring: Brian V., Drew Clark, Deborah A. Lathen, Jake Varn, Rory Conaway, Gary Wood. ?? Watch on-demand via Breakfast Media LLC: https://lnkd.in/emQkp8cW

“Switching from fiber to satellite may reduce upfront costs, but it’s like replacing a bridge with a ferry service — cheaper in the short term, but less effective and far more costly over the long haul.” While some are pushing to shift BEAD funds from fiber to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite like Starlink, we believe prioritising fiber remains the best choice for America’s broadband infrastructure — delivering superior performance, higher capacity, and better value over time. The state leaders we work with understand this and want to move forward and implement the fiber-first plans they've already created to bring the most reliable, robust connectivity to their communities. Let’s invest in infrastructure that meets the long-term needs of residents and businesses. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eRDvSxnC

Celebrating the powerhouse women transforming broadband — including Connect Humanity's own Jordana Barton-Garcia, MPA! ??" Huge kudos to Jordana and the brilliant Gigi Sohn, Kathryn de Wit, Angela Siefer, Shirley Bloomfield, Anna Gomez & Jessica Rosenworcel for their work in breaking down barriers to high-speed internet access and expanding digital opportunities. Check out Cierra Noffke's piece in CNET spotlighting the women making history in broadband this #WomensHistoryMonth: ?? https://lnkd.in/etmk_ssT

?? Just two days left to apply! ?? We're seeking a researcher to support a study on how Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) is used by small, community-focused Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Brazil. We’re looking for someone with: ? A research background related to FOSS, community broadband, digital inclusion ? Strong research, writing, and stakeholder engagement capabilities ? Fluency in Portuguese and English ? Familiarity with Brazil’s small ISP ecosystem Alongside Nathalia Foditsch (LLM/MPP), you'll help lead research on how FOSS can empower Brazil's growing community broadband providers to bridge the digital divide. ?? Interested? Read the RFP and apply: https://lnkd.in/eTaiyR6n With thanks to Digital Infrastructure Insights Fund ?? --- ?? Restam apenas dois dias para se inscrever! ?? Estamos procurando um pesquisador para apoiar um estudo sobre como o Software Livre e de Código Aberto (FOSS) é usado por pequenos Provedores de Servi?os de Internet (ISPs) focados na comunidade no Brasil. Estamos procurando alguém com: ? Experiência em pesquisa relacionada a FOSS, banda larga comunitária, inclus?o digital ? Fortes capacidades de pesquisa, escrita e engajamento de partes interessadas ? Fluência em português e inglês ? Familiaridade com o pequeno ecossistema de ISP do Brasil Ao lado de Nathalia Foditsch, você ajudará a liderar uma pesquisa sobre como o FOSS pode capacitar os crescentes provedores de banda larga comunitária do Brasil a superar a exclus?o digital. ?? Interessado? Leia o RFP e inscreva-se: https://lnkd.in/eTaiyR6n Com agradecimentos ao Digital Infrastructure Insights Fund ??

Today! Join the conversation ??

Five years ago today, the NBA suspended its season after Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19 — marking a turning point as the world braced for seismic change. Two days later, Breakfast Media LLC launched a new show dedicated to tracking the rapidly shifting broadband landscape as we entered an era of online everything. Tomorrow, March 12, join Brian V. for a special anniversary episode of Broadband Breakfast Live Online, hosted by Drew Clark, alongside Deborah A. Lathen, Jake Varn, and Gary Wood. Together, they’ll reflect on five years of broadband policy, deployment, and digital transformation. Five years is a long time in broadband. Hear how the sector has evolved through major policy shifts, historic federal funding programs, and the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic — and get expert insight on what’s next. ?? Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/e44nMcjz

Call for Research Proposals: FOSS & Community ISPs in Brazil ???? Connect Humanity is looking for a researcher to support a study on how Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) is used by small, community-focused Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Brazil. With more than 11,000 small ISPs helping to bridge the digital divide, this research will assess how FOSS can support their sustainability, affordability, and impact. We’re looking for someone with: ? A research background related to FOSS, community broadband, digital inclusion ? Strong research, writing, and stakeholder engagement capabilities ? Fluency in Portuguese and English ? Familiarity with Brazil’s small ISP ecosystem ?? Full details in the RFP: https://lnkd.in/eTaiyR6n Interested? Apply by March 14, 2025. Please share with your network or tag anyone who might be interested.