Protec Michigan

10/16/2026

"A new analysis from policy experts at The Pew Charitable Trusts calls on state-level broadband deployment programs to fill the gap in network development funding.

Despite allocating $42.45 billion in federal taxpayer money, the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program could leave one to two million or more locations unfunded.

The analysis said state broadband funding should be in place to help overcome challenges with high deployment costs, limited private return, and ongoing infrastructure maintenance.

Of 40 states that have authorized their own broadband infrastructure funding, only 19 are putting state money into deployment, the analysis found. Many states also fund related programs, supporting initiatives including middle-mile development, pole replacement, and public Wi-Fi." - Telecompetitor

The analysis found that of 40 states that have authorized their own broadband funding, only 19 are putting state money into deployment.

10/15/2026

According to this article, cable prices have gone down. We’re curious to know if any of you have experienced lower cable prices. Comment below.



WASHINGTON, Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Competition from 5G Home Broadband is making home broadband more affordable for Americans, according to a new study commissioned by CTIA. The introduction of 5G Home in a market drove down cable prices 17%, saving American households up to $28.5 billion from 2023 through 2025.

/PRNewswire/ -- Competition from 5G Home Broadband is making home broadband more affordable for Americans, according to a new study commissioned by CTIA. The...

10/14/2026

“Rural Broadband Infrastructure and Its Implications for Households and Agriculture

Fast, reliable broadband is essential for rural communities. Rural broadband allows entrepreneurs to do business, provides access to telehealth services, and enables access to online educational opportunities (Biedny and Whitacre, 2022). The availability of rural broadband has also created greater remote work opportunities, better positioning rural communities to attract new residents and retain current residents (Low, Rahe, and Van Leuven, 2023). Greater broadband capacity also enables agricultural producers to adopt more automated technologies and processes (Khanna et al., 2024).

As a result, the University of Illinois Extension surveyed over 11,700 households in these counties from 2022–2025. In addition to gathering perceptions of broadband access, the survey measured service quality by asking participants to complete a speed test. The survey also asked about the state of rural broadband for agricultural entities, given the relative importance of agriculture to those communities. Survey findings reflect trends in rural Illinois, but rural and agricultural communities throughout the Midwest face the same challenges.

This article highlights some of the survey’s key findings to examine whether the existing broadband infrastructure meets the needs of households and agricultural producers. It first considers household broadband quality and regional differences in service levels. It shows how agricultural entities perceive their broadband service, and concludes by discussing the remaining challenges to broadband expansion and the partnerships needed to improve rural connectivity.” - Successful Farming


Article 👇👇👇

A University of Illinois survey highlights gaps in rural broadband access, speed, and reliability, and what they mean for farmers and rural communities.

10/14/2026

One of the first issues PROTEC faced was the Preemption Issue and has remained for 30 years. Watch the full video on YOUTUBE. https://youtu.be/azusN3ZHHYo

10/14/2026

30 years ago, Michigan was faced with a preemptive issue from ITC and PROTEC was there as the first issue before them as we take you through PROTEC's 30 years serving Michigan communities with PROTEC General Counsel Mike Watza. https://youtu.be/azusN3ZHHYo

10/09/2026

Three Former FCC Commissioners Advocate to Continue E-Rate Program.

Commissioners argue necessity of E-Rate program as billions could be on the line. Broadband Breakfast

Commissioners argue necessity of E-Rate program as billions could be on the line.

10/03/2026

Congressional candidates and customers react to FCC’s pause on Verizon plan to phase out copper landlines

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - Verizon’s copper-based landlines are staying in place for now, after the Federal Communications Commission put the company’s phase-out plan on hold.

Verizon announced earlier this year that it planned to phase out copper landlines in favor of newer technology, including fiberoptics or wireless connections. Late last week, the FCC paused that plan, saying it needs more time to review the proposal.

The FCC has paused Verizon's plan to retire copper landlines. Rural customers and 6th District candidates Ben Cline and Beth Macy react

10/02/2026

FCC puts Verizon plan to eliminate copper wire connections on hold

Verizon will not be able to move ahead, at least for now, with a plan to eliminate traditional copper-wire telephone service across much of Virginia.

The Federal Communications Commission has put Verizon’s request on hold, removing it from a process that would have allowed the application to be automatically approved. The FCC action came just days before that automatic approval was scheduled to take effect.

Officials of both Eastern Shore counties and the Virginia Association of Counties petitioned the FCC not to allow the elimination of hard wire connectivity. Verizon wants to retire older copper telephone facilities and transition customers to other technologies, including fiber, cable and wireless service.

The company says those newer technologies can provide customers with reliable alternatives to traditional landline service. But the proposal has drawn opposition from local governments and others in rural Virginia, including concerns about parts of the Eastern Shore.

The Virginia Association of Counties and several Virginia localities have urged the FCC to take a closer look at the plan. Read the article from Shore Daily news here: https://shoredailynews.com/headlines/fcc-puts-verizon-plan-to-eliminate-copper-wire-connections-on-hold/

Verizon will not be able to move ahead, at least for now, with a plan to eliminate traditional copper-wire telephone service across much of Virginia. The Federal Communications Commission has put Verizon’s request on hold, removing it from a process that would have allowed the application to be au...

10/02/2026

What would you think about municipalities building and owning the fiber network, but not being the internet service provider but instead, opening up the infrastructure to multiple private internet providers?

Fierce Network talks about this in their article: Utopia: A city can own the fiber without becoming your ISP.

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Utopia's public network lets private providers compete over the same fiber