Gigabit Nation

NTIA’s $285-million CMC pilot program provides grants to eligible Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges or Universities (TCUs), and minority serving institutions (MSIs). NTIA is funding not only broadband for anchor institutions but digital programs that drive adoption (some agencies mostly fund network infrastructure). NTIA also is encouraging pilots to create 15-mile broadband umbrella around the institutions. Nationwide, broadband and telehealth deployments are only as good as the maps that guide them. LightBox create maps by combining granular location data with information from 2 billion Wi-Fi access points. Communities get a more detailed, accurate picture of broadband connectivity. Today’s digital equity warriors are: A graduate of HBCU undergrad and law schools, Scott Woods currently leads the Connecting Minority Communities (CMC) Pilot Program, and serves as a principal liaison between the CMC and BroadbandUSA program. Mr. Wood’s career of government service include