Marginalized Populations

The Biden-Harris Administration recognizes Second Chance Month as an opportunity to ensure that people returning to their communities from jail or prison have a fair shot at the American Dream. Research shows that incarcerated and recently released individuals face unique and far-reaching challenges, particularly when pursuing education and employment opportunities.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration preparing to award over $44 billion to construct rural broadband networks. Almost by definition, these networks will be built in rural areas where it’s hard to justify a business plan where revenues generated from the grant areas are sufficient to fund the ongoing operation and eventual upgrades to any broadband networks.

Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA) released the Spectrum and National Security Act, comprehensive legislation that will modernize the nation’s spectrum policy to protect our communications networks against foreign adversaries, restore Federal Communications Commission auction authority, secure critical broadband funding to keep Americans connected, and invest in CHIPS and Science innovation initiatives that will boost U.S. technological competitiveness. The Spectrum and National Security Act:

As states continue to enact new restrictions on reproductive care since the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, access to critical reproductive health care services have been severely threatened. Medications prescribed after a telehealth visit present a safe and effective option; expanding telehealth for prescriptions would increase access to and equity in the provision of reproductive health care. This study identifies practical and near-term opportunities to expand equitable access to women's telehealth care across the United States.

Charter Communications—through its affiliates Charter Fiberlink – Michigan LLC, Charter Fiberlink – Missouri, LLC, and Charter Fiberlink CCO, LLC—was awarded Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) funding to deploy gigabit-speed internet service in certain unserved areas of Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin.

Overturning a federal judge’s injunction, the Second Circuit on April 26, 2024 revived a New York state law that sought to provide discounted broadband internet to low-income families.

This decision upholds an important tool for broadband deployment as well as an important principle. Low-income Americans need broadband just as much as all other consumers. Broadband gives all of us access to education, healthcare, government services, employment opportunities, and the information necessary to participate in civic discourse and to vote wisely. Today’s decision holds that FCC regulations do not interfere with the states’ ability to ensure that their residents have affordable access.

Are we witnessing the final days of the landline phone in the United States? It's possible. But in some regions and across key demographics, landlines persist. The question is: Who’s still “jumping on the horn”? To get to the bottom of this question, we analyzed trends in phone usage by adults aged 18 and over. Our analysis takes a closer look at the percentage of adults living in wireless-only (cell or mobile phone) households, those living with landline phones, and those without phones (phoneless). Key highlights of our analysis include:

UScellular is supporting its customers who have the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) benefit with a monthly credit to help ensure they can stay connected. ACP is a Federal Communications Commission benefit program that helps households afford the broadband they need to connect to education, careers, family, and friends. Unfortunately for millions of well-deserving Americans, Congress has not approved a budget to continue the program, and April 2024 is expected to be the last fully funded month. Starting in May 2024, UScellular is providing a $12 credit every month for 12 months on curr

For residents in rural areas of Williamson County (TN), the wait for fiber internet service may soon be over.