CBAN is excited to welcome the City of Willmar, MN as a community member of our growing network! Willmar becomes the 207th CBAN member!

Willmar is in the design phase of a community-owned fiber network. The City will own the open access network and have partnered with Hometown Fiber (a CBAN provider member) to operate the network. Willmar's project began before a state law change removing barriers to municipal fiber networks, a move which strengthened their case. They are aiming to start construction in spring 2024 and are negotiating with two ISPs for service level agreements. 

Alianza, a cloud platform provider for internet service providers (ISPs), has announced an agreement to acquire Metaswitch, a Microsoft-owned communications software company. The deal, expected to close in Q1 2025, would provide Alianza with a significant customer base of 1,000 new clients. Microsoft originally acquired Metaswitch in 2020 to advance its cloud strategy but recently shifted focus, leading to discussions with Alianza about the future of the company.

Alianza CEO Brian Beutler emphasized Metaswitch’s pivotal role in transitioning the industry from copper-line infrastructure to digital solutions. Metaswitch’s software supports over 800 global operators, including major providers like AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Comcast, connecting millions daily. Beutler likened Metaswitch’s role to Alianza’s as the “brand behind the brand,” powering essential communications services.

The acquisition aligns with Alianza’s mission to accelerate the transition to cloud-based, AI-driven platforms. While ISPs have invested heavily in network modernization, Beutler noted that revenue growth has stagnated despite exponential speed improvements. He sees the cloud as the next frontier, where Alianza operates as a native alternative to traditional telco infrastructure.

Beutler views Metaswitch’s strong customer portfolio as a solution to Alianza’s challenge of lacking an embedded client base. Under the agreement, Alianza will migrate Metaswitch’s operations to a cloud-based model and integrate AI-powered services, positioning the combined companies at the forefront of the digital communications transformation.

​For more on the Metaswich acquisition, CLICK HERE to read the story at Broadband Communities.

​The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed the *Access to Capital Creates Economic Strength and Supports (ACCESS) Rural America Act*, which aims to relieve small broadband providers of costly regulatory burdens. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.  

The legislation has garnered praise from NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, with CEO Shirley Bloomfield expressing gratitude to Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) for their bipartisan support. Bloomfield emphasized that current SEC registration and reporting rules, designed for large public companies, disproportionately burden smaller, locally owned broadband providers. She noted the bill would enable rural providers to focus on expanding broadband infrastructure instead of navigating onerous regulations.  

John Klatt, CEO of Lakeland Communications, echoed this sentiment, stating the bill would allow rural providers like his company in northwest Wisconsin to concentrate on building fiber networks and supporting rural communities. He urged the House to pass the act promptly.  

In addition to Senators Baldwin and Ernst, the bill was co-sponsored by Senators Krysten Sinema (I-AZ), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and Chuck Grassley (R-IA). Supporters believe the legislation is essential for fostering broadband development in rural areas by alleviating unnecessary financial and administrative strain.

CLICK HERE for more about the bill at Broadband Communities, a CBAN advocate member and media partner.

​The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved funding applications for several states and territories, including Iowa, under the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program. Iowa will receive $8,442,129 to implement key initiatives aimed at improving digital equity across the state.

This funding is part of the “Internet for All” initiative under President Biden's *Investing in America* agenda, a larger $1.44 billion effort to address barriers to digital access and inclusion. Many Americans face challenges such as a lack of Internet skills, affordability issues, and limited access to devices, which this program seeks to overcome.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo emphasized that affordable, high-speed Internet is essential for modern life, benefiting education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. Iowa’s digital equity plan, developed under prior NTIA funding, outlines actionable steps to empower residents and communities with tools and skills for meaningful Internet access.

This award could represent a significant step forward in ensuring digital equity across Iowa, as the state implements programs to address connectivity gaps, foster digital literacy, and expand opportunities for all residents.

How Iowa will spend their allocation is unclear. The Iowa Department of Management-Division of IT (DOM-DOIT) issued an RFI this fall asking for proposals from Iowa organziations on how to execute the state's goals. CBAN was one of the respondents to that RFI.

CLICK HERE to read the NTIA's news release on the latest funding awards.

The City of Ruston and RightFiber, a brand of Ritter Communications, have finalized an agreement for RightFiber to acquire Ruston’s citywide fiber network. The deal, announced last month by RightFiber, is projected to close in the first quarter of 2025.

Ruston, a community of approximately 22,000 residents in Lincoln Parish, is home to Louisiana Tech University, part of the University of Louisiana system. The partnership with RightFiber underscores the city's commitment to advancing its broadband infrastructure to support both residents and local institutions.

Ruston Mayor Ronnie Walker praised RightFiber’s approach, describing the company as a dedicated municipal partner with a vision for growth. “RightFiber’s personal approach and future-minded vision set them apart as a service provider,” Walker stated in the announcement.

Kyle Keith, Chief Revenue Officer for Ritter Communications, emphasized the strategic importance of the acquisition. “The City of Ruston has taken proactive steps in planning for the growing need for top-tier fiber broadband,” Keith noted. “The decision to engage with RightFiber demonstrates their strategic foresight even further, which is focused on the growth and prosperity of their residents.”

This collaboration highlights Ruston’s dedication to fostering economic growth and ensuring robust connectivity for its community.

For more on the sale, CLICK HERE to read a story at Broadband Communities magazine.