The average internet bill in Pennsylvania is $110 a month according to a survey of internet costs in America's most populous states. The survey, conducted by US News and World Report magazine, showed that consumers in Pennsylvania, California, Texas, New York, and Florida are paying 15% to 30% more for internet than when they first signed up. And a significant percentage of persons surveyed don't know what speed level they are subscribed to.

Other interesting findings from the survey include:

• 72% of respondents say they've never hit a data cap with their provider
• 76% want the government to cap the amount that ISP's can charge
• 87% want Congress to reinstate the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)

The FCC has initiated a formal review to assess customer support quality from cable, broadband, satellite TV, and voice service providers. The Notice of Inquiry (NOI) seeks insights on current customer-service practices to help consumers easily cancel subscriptions, reach live representatives, and manage automatic renewals. FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel supported the measure, emphasizing the need for transparent and effective customer service in essential communications services. She stated that users should not struggle to cancel services or connect with a representative to resolve issues.

The NOI, approved in a 3-2 party-line vote, aims to establish a public record on customer support while exploring ways to enhance protections for families and businesses reliant on these services. Key areas under review include simplified cancellation processes, clear renewal disclosures, better access to live representatives, and improved accessibility for customers with disabilities.

Commissioner Brendan Carr criticized the NOI, arguing it overreaches FCC authority and suggesting such protections fall under the Federal Trade Commission’s jurisdiction. He expressed concern that the inquiry distracts from essential priorities like expanding broadband access, positioning it as a deflection from more pressing needs. The FCC's broader "Time is Money" initiative aligns with the inquiry, aiming to reduce common consumer frustrations with service providers.

For more details on the FCC's inquiry, CLICK HERE to read the story at TV Technology.

CBAN also wants to extend our warm THANK YOU to ImOn Communications, which is partnering with CBAN to offset our travel costs to attend BBC Summit West! Not only is ImOn Communications a strong supporter of CBAN, they are also an amazing, community service focused provider. Thanks again for sponsoring our travel!

It's with a heavy heart that we report the passing of one of the pioneers of Iowa's municipal broadband community. Sal LoBianco, who helped lead efforts to build broadband at Muscatine Power & Water (MPW), passed away last month at the age of 69.

​A lifelong resident of Muscatine, Sal began his MPW career as a mechanical engineer at the power plant. As Director of the Telecommunications Utility Sal led efforts to build a municipal communications utillity following voter approval in 1997. He later served as MPW General Manager from 2009 until his retirement. In 2019, LoBianco was honored with the IAMU Broadband Vanguard Award for his passionate support of municipal broadband in Iowa.

We'd like to extend our sympathies to Sal's family on their loss. CLICK HERE to read his obituary.

In a strategic move that could reshape the telecommunications landscape, Verizon has proposed acquiring Frontier Communications in a multi-billion dollar deal. This week, Verizon submitted a detailed filing to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), marking a key step in the approval process. The proposed acquisition is aimed at expanding Verizon’s fiber-optic and broadband networks, particularly in underserved rural and suburban areas where Frontier has a significant presence.

The FCC filing outlines Verizon’s plan to invest in improving infrastructure and modernizing outdated Frontier systems, including enhancing 5G capabilities and boosting internet speeds for customers. Frontier, which has struggled with financial difficulties in recent years, welcomed the acquisition as a lifeline for its services and customers. 

While Verizon’s leadership emphasizes the potential benefits of better broadband access, critics express concerns about the possible impact on consumer choice and pricing in local markets. Industry analysts are closely watching the FCC’s review, which will consider both competition and consumer protection aspects of the merger.

If approved, this deal could create one of the largest telecommunications giants in the U.S., with implications for millions of customers across the country, particularly in regions currently relying on Frontier’s network. The FCC's decision is expected in the coming months.

Cedar Falls Utilities (CFU) is celebrating 30 years of providing communications services this month, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of community-based broadband in Iowa. CFU was established as the state’s first municipal broadband utility following a successful vote on October 11, 1994. Since then, CFU has grown to become a leader in internet innovation, notably upgrading its entire network to fiber-to-the-premises in 2013, ensuring reliable, high-speed connections for residents and businesses alike.

In 2020, CFU became the first utility in Iowa to offer 10 gigabit internet service citywide, earning recognition from PCMag as the fastest internet service provider in the U.S. This achievement underscores CFU’s commitment to staying ahead of technological advancements, continually reinvesting in its infrastructure to benefit the local community. The utility is now working on plans to introduce even faster speeds, with upgrades to 25 gig services on the horizon.

CFU's commitment to affordability, innovation, and sustainability has kept the utility debt-free since 2019, providing reliable and cost-effective services to Cedar Falls residents. This ongoing success story demonstrates the power of community-driven utilities to deliver world-class services locally.

By now, most organizations understand they need a cybersecurity risk management plan which provides an informed basis for identifying and assessing their cybersecurity risks and putting in place safeguards to either eliminate or at least mitigate such risks, but the process of developing what can be viewed as a comprehensive and effective cybersecurity risk management plan is viewed as too difficult.  Many organizations are simply unsure of how to even begin the process of evaluating cybersecurity status or “profile” and implementing safeguards intended to guard against cybersecurity threats and attacks.

Across all “Critical Infrastructure Sectors” as defined by the U.S. “Critical Infrastructure and Security Industry” (CISA), including those entities providing broadband services, the starting place is with the National Institute of Standards and Technology and its “Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0”.  This “Framework” is viewed as a preeminent resource and defines high level cybersecurity outcomes that can be used by any organization to better understand, assess, prioritize, and communicate its cybersecurity efforts. The NIST Cybersecurity Framework is intended to not only assist an organization in developing cybersecurity plans and/or programs, but also as a reference that enables organizations to continually evaluate their risk profile and adopt and implement changed or new best practices for mitigating and responding to cybersecurity risks.

According to consultants at Consortia, for those broadband providers that do not yet have a formal cybersecurity risk management plan, taking steps aimed at developing and adopting such a plan should be viewed as a priority.  The FCC and other federal agencies have already imposed regulations requiring the filing of cybersecurity risk management plans in relation to: (1) rural carriers receiving “Enhanced ACAM” universal service support; (2) as a condition on any providers receiving BEAD grants; and (3) as a condition for any entities receiving Digital Equity Grants.  In addition, the FCC, specifically, has also proposed as part of new rules addressing the existing “Emergency Alert System (EAS)” that all providers participating in that System (Cable providers and MVNOPDs) “create, update’, and implement cybersecurity risk management plans.  Given these referenced requirements imposed by the FCC and NTIA and also a recently more active Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, it appears reasonable to expect that eventually all broadband providers will be subject to an obligation to file formal cybersecurity plans.
​
For any entities providing broadband services specifically, Consortia Consulting staff is very familiar with the latest version of the NIST Framework (Ver. 2.0) and is offering its assistance with respect to developing cybersecurity plans.  It has developed an in-depth questionnaire that is intended to assist companies in identifying and describing actions or practices that are part of their current cybersecurity risk management “profile” and also aid in the process of incorporating these cybersecurity related actions or practices into a formal risk management plan. 

This summer, PalniES joined CBAN as an associate member. We want to welcome them to our growing organization, now 200+ members strong in 29 states! PalniES provided the following summary of who they are and what they do so our members can get to know more about the solutions they provide.

PalniES, is the Engineering Services vertical of Palni Inc, and we are focused on delivering engineering/design and turnkey solutions specifically aligned with the FTTx deployments throughout North America.  Our Services Protfolio includes Feasability (High Level Design), Low Level Design to include Fielding, MRE, Joint Use, Permitting, Construction Prints, PLA With the core competency that we have developed and leveraging various technology and automation solutions, we deliver network engineering/design solutions supporting our customers growth in urban and rural markets for both the OSP and ISP Networks.  At PalniES, we understand that each project is unique and that every engagement has it’s unique goals. 

We work closely with our customers to create a “blueprint for delivery” with a focus on high quality deliverables, we are always working to solve problems and make a difference.   
We strive to partner with our customers and tightly align to their company goals providing a Cost-Effective model and Scale to ensure projects stay on time and on budget.  In addition to providing digital technology solutions to these CSP’s, we also offer network planning, maintenance, troubleshooting and design services across multiple network architectures. Our dedication and support to various Providers across the country has been recognized by the “Most Promising Technology Solutions Provider for Telecom Industry” award by CIO Review in 2022.

​We are driven to solve the problems that matter and drive efficiencies into all we do.  With our IT Services and Automation capabilities, along side our deep Fiber Network Engineering and Design depth and scale, we are excited to get involved here with CBAN and the fantastic group of members serving the communities that matter.