World’s leading Internet Exchange operator DE-CIX to support Connected Nation & Newby Ventures in closing the Digital Divide in the US

Strategic partnership will enable DE-CIX edge IXs in smaller cities and rural areas to significantly improve regional Internet performance Frankfurt (Germany) and Washington, DC, (U.S.), 15 May 2023. DE-CIX, the world’s leading operator of Internet Exchanges (IXs), and Connected Nation Internet Exchange Points (CNIXP), a joint venture between nonprofit Connected Nation and Newby Ventures, today announce a strategic partnership for …

Connected Nation honored for Digital Team of the Year, Digital Communicator of the Year by PRNEWS

Bowling Green, Kentucky (May 12, 2023) – Connected Nation (CN), a national nonprofit working to expand broadband use and adoption across the country,  received top honors yesterday in PRNEWS’ 2023 Digital Awards.  The awards program recognizes the most innovative and industry-altering digital communicators and campaigns. CN’s communications department was named “Digital Team of the Year” and Communications Director, Jessica Denson, …

Connected Nation named finalist for national award, Communications team among ‘best of the best’     

Bowling Green, Kentucky (April 13, 2023) – Connected Nation (CN)’s Communications team was named this week as a national finalist for Team of the Year (In-House) in PR Daily’s Social Media & Digital Awards. “There is no doubt that the success of our mission is in direct proportion to our effectiveness as a communicator,” said Tom Ferree, Chairman & CEO, …

Comanche County releases results of broadband survey, recommends greater digital skills education and access

Comanche County, Oklahoma (February 16, 2023) – Comanche County has released the results of a comprehensive broadband survey and subsequent Technology Action Plan designed to increase high-speed internet access regardless of income level. The broadband engagement is part of the Connected Community Engagement Program administered through Connected Nation and funded by The Priddy Foundation. The program empowers local leaders and …

BEAD Pitfall: Overpaying and leaving money on the table

Bowling Green, Kentucky (February 9, 2023) – In my last post, I introduced a model BEAD grant scenario — a general way to envision what will happen when states begin making Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) grants to internet service providers (ISPs) starting in 2024. That version had states doing a pretty good job of getting the work done without …

Kentucky’s Governor announces 14-stop Better Internet Initiative Listening Tour

Community input will help guide investments to expand high-speed internet across the state The following release was issued by the Kentucky governor’s office on Feb. 2, 2023. FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 2, 2023) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced the state will host a 14-stop listening tour beginning Tuesday, Feb. 14, in Hopkinsville as part of the ongoing Better Internet Initiative. “Access to …

Ellis County releases results of broadband survey – recommendations include securing internet access for entire county

Ellis County, Texas (January 18, 2023) – Ellis County, in partnership with Connected Nation Texas (CN Texas), has released the results of a broadband assessment survey that demonstrate a community with higher-than-average internet speeds, adoption rates, device ownership, and digital literacy skills. The results were used to develop a Technology Action Plan for the county. Of the 67.3% of respondents …

A year of living on the edge: looking over the precipice of the Digital Divide and seeing great change ahead

by Jessica Denson, Communications DirectorConnected Nation Louisville, Ky (December 13, 2022) – It’s been a year of “living on the edge” for millions of Americans trying to bridge the Digital Divide. If you saw the emails I receive weekly, sometimes daily, as the Communications Director for Connected Nation, from moms and dads, teachers, ranchers, rural residents, and others, you’d understand …

Connected Nation applauds launch of National Broadband Map as a first step toward pinpointing where broadband is lacking

Washington, DC  (November 18, 2022) – Tom Ferree, Chairman & CEO of Connected Nation (CN), issued the following statement regarding today’s launch of the new National Broadband Map by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC): “Today’s launch of the new National Broadband Map marks a significant leap forward in our nation’s efforts to close the Digital Divide once and for all. …

Connected Nation honored with national award for “A national conversation on the Digital Divide”

Bowling Green, Ky. (November 18, 2022) – Connected Nation (CN) won top honors this month in PR Daily’s Nonprofit Communications Awards for best virtual event.  The national nonprofit was recognized for producing a three-city, live event titled “20 years of connecting the nation: a national conversation on the Digital Divide” that aired across the country on November 17, 2021. “Our …