Rural broadband insights for closing the digital divide
Conexon’s widely read Co-ops Connect FYI newsletter by Conexon co-CEO Jonathan Chambers provides the latest industry updates, news and views for electric cooperatives and other community organizations operating or considering rural broadband networks.
Newsletters are published here each week as new issue is released.
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Is History Going to Repeat Itself for Rural Broadband Access?
March 28, 2025
In 2010, the FCC produced the National Broadband Plan (NBP), a “comprehensive” roadmap with scores of policy recommendations to ensure every American would have access to broadband.
Read newsletterPast editions
After the Storms
October 18, 2024
Every season in which natural disasters are more devastating than anticipated, Congress must appropriate supplemental funds to help repair the destruction they cause.
Read newsletterThe Aftermath of Hurricane Helene
October 4, 2024
This week’s edition shares photos of the power and devastation of Hurricane Helene.
Read newsletterA Leading Lights Award
September 27, 2024
Earlier this year, Light Reading announced its shortlist for its Leading Lights Awards.
Read newsletterThe State of America’s Politics
September 13, 2024
I started working for Senator Jack Danforth (R-MO) in 1987, the year C-SPAN started covering proceedings in the Senate. All the Senate offices tuned their televisions to the activities on the Senate floor.
Read newsletterCan We Learn?
September 6, 2024
A few weeks ago, I wrote about the transition that occurs when a new administration takes office.
Read newsletterThe River
August 30, 2024
Five years ago, I attended a CEO Close-Up event where Nate Silver was the keynote speaker.
Read newsletterJust in Case...
August 16, 2024
In January 1993, I was the Minority Staff Director for the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, Transportation (the Commerce Committee).
Read newsletterCassandra, Part II
August 9, 2024
Judges are like umpires. Umpires don’t make the rules, they apply them. The role of an umpire and a judge is critical. They make sure everybody plays by the rules, but it is a limited role. Nobody ever went to a ball game to see the umpire.
Read newsletterMore Lessons From Our Broadband Leaders
August 2, 2024
Earlier in July, I had the pleasure of a conversation with two more compelling electric co-op leaders: Jarrod Campbell and Julius Hackett.
Read newsletterJoe Biden
July 26, 2024
I first met Joe Biden in 1987. I had an office a few doors down from his in the Russell Senate Office Building.
Read newsletterAnd the Razzie Awards for Poor Broadband Choices Goes to…
July 19, 2024
Here are my candidates for the most egregious government decisions (mistakes) in rural broadband programs in recent years – all of which have done more to harm than help rural America’s access to broadband.
Read newsletterMore Lessons From Our Broadband Leaders
July 12, 2024
Several weeks ago, I had the pleasure of sitting down with two more of my favorite electric co-op leaders: Wendy Sellers and Ron Barnes.
Read newsletterYankee Doodle Dandy
July 5, 2024
Unlike the George M. Cohan song, I was not born on the 4th of July, but I was born in Washington, DC.
Read newsletterLessons From Our Broadband Leaders
June 21, 2024
Two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of sitting down for a conversation with two longtime colleagues in the broadband space: Mark Cook and Tim Smith.
Read newsletterLocates
June 14, 2024
I have written about the importance of a BEAD-funded pole replacement program for fiber construction in rural unserved and underserved areas. I proposed this type of program to jump-start the languishing BEAD program.
Read newsletterHow to Jump-Start BEAD: Replicate Kentucky’s Pole Replacement Program Nationwide
June 7, 2024
Two years ago, the Commonwealth of Kentucky adopted an innovative pole replacement program to help deploy broadband in unserved areas. Kentucky’s program is simple and worthy of imitation.
Read newsletterCassandra
May 31, 2024
In Greek mythology, the god Apollo fell in love with Cassandra, the daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy. He promised her the divine gift of foresight in exchange for her favors.
Read newsletterA Race to Build
May 17, 2024
To inspire builders to build while they waited for funds, I proposed that the Commerce Department tell the states to adopt a “look back” provision so anything built to BEAD-eligible locations before funds were available would be reimbursed.
Read newsletterPlaying Politics with the Poor: The Affordable Connectivity Program
January 12, 2024
Read newsletterAT&T Should Change Its Name to UST&T (The Urban Suburban Telephone & Telegraph Company)
April 28, 2023
Read newsletterMore Waste, Fraud, and Abuse: Charter Takes Public Funds to Build 10 Mbps Network
February 10, 2023
Read newsletterKnow Your Numbers: Unserved and Underserved Locations in Electric Co-op Service Territories
February 3, 2023
Read newsletterWhat to Expect of the Service Level Challenges to the National Broadband Map
January 13, 2023
Read newsletterThe Map Has Problems (But It’s Good Enough for the BEAD Allocation)
December 2, 2022
Read newsletterA Comparison Between the FCC’s Location Fabric and Actual Broadband Serviceable Locations
August 12, 2022
Read newsletterProtect Your Service Territory: A Brief History of Federal Broadband Funding
July 22, 2022
Read newsletterNo Broadband at Home? Your State’s Broadband Office May Choose Not to Believe You
June 3, 2022
Read newsletterState Challenge Regimes That Will Kill Rural Broadband: The Bienville Story Continues
May 6, 2022
Read newsletterMust Broadband Funding Be Fought for Block by Block, Street by Street, House by House?
April 29, 2022
Read newsletterHow to Prevent Being Duped, Bamboozled, Hoodwinked, Hornswoggled or Pettifogged
April 1, 2022
Read newsletterHigh-Cost vs. Unserved: Two Different Ways to Fund Broadband in Rural America
March 25, 2022
Read newsletterThe Best Approach to Rural Broadband that No State or Federal Agency Will Adopt
March 11, 2022
Read newsletter10 Steps to Set Up and Administer an Efficient State Broadband Program
February 11, 2022
Read newsletterInfrastructure Act Rural Broadband Funding: Disincentive to Build in 2022?
January 21, 2022
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