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Change in FCC leadership may renew net neutrality battle

Dec 1, 2020
Ajit Pai's departure could lead to a Democratic majority on the commission and is expected to spark new policy fights.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai speaks before a Senate panel in June. The commission's balance of power may change under the Biden administration.
Chip Somodevilla/AFP via Getty Images

For many in rural parts of the U.S., internet access is still elusive

Oct 6, 2020
Rural counties in Mississippi received a $4.6 million grant to connect schools, businesses and public services to the internet.
The FCC has estimated it will take about $80 billion to bring broadband access to the whole country.
Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

Silicon Valley congressman on distributing tech jobs across the country

Aug 12, 2020
Rep. Ro Khanna says we need to expand access to the innovation economy.
U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna, Democrat of California.
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

The Pivot Point

Jul 31, 2020
What technology will help us transition to a post-pandemic future?
Dr. Paul McKay, who is working on an vaccine for COVID-19, looks at bacteria containing the coronavirus' DNA fragments at Imperial College School of Medicine in London on Feb. 10.
Tolga Akmen/AFP via Getty Images

Should we treat internet service like a public utility?

The idea is that internet is not a luxury, but a fundamental part of participating in the economy.
The digital divide is more obvious than ever, as tens of millions of Americans still don't have access to reliable high-speed internet.
Sandra Mu/Getty Images

U.S. census prepares for a digital count

Aug 12, 2019
The 2020 census will be the first to seek information online on a wide scale.
Forms for the 2010 census.
Alex Wong/Getty Images

Homework is much harder when you can't get online at home

Apr 4, 2019
What it's like to try to graduate high school without easy internet access.
Larry Brown gets online at the library or a friend’s house when he needs a good connection, bigger screen and keyboard to do homework. Like many New Orleans students, he doesn’t have internet service at home.
Jess Clark/New Orleans Public Radio

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Why smartphones are "revolutionary" for India

Nov 1, 2018
The technology is bringing people online in a way that's "unprecedented in the world," says author Ravi Agrawal.
Indian men check their smartphones outside the Bombay Stock Exchange in Mumbai in October.
Indranil Mukherjee/AFP/Getty Images

The Federal Reserve is taking on the digital divide

Oct 8, 2018
Almost 40 percent of rural America doesn't have access to broadband internet or reliable mobile service.
A reel tender helps install fiber-optic cable onto telephone poles in Louisville, Colorado, in 2001.
Michael Smith/Getty Images

Slow internet? Fast internet? You might be paying the same price

Aug 15, 2018
You and somebody across town might be paying the same fee, but getting very different service.
MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images