The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) approved Verizon's $20 billion all-cash purchase of Frontier, saying in a Wednesday decision (No. 24-11-06) that the proposed deal "is in the public interest." The approval imposed several obligations on Verizon (see 2505160066), requiring it to submit annual reports on fiber deployment for four years, present a plan regarding its role as "custodian of the communications space on all Connecticut utility poles" and ensure its toll-free number is accessible to non-Verizon customers for reporting unsafe conditions. Under the decision by Commissioners Marissa Gillett, David Arconti and Michael Caron, Verizon is also required to supply free battery backup units with D-cell batteries to customers transitioning from copper to fiber services.

The New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) released its fourth annual broadband report and updated interactive map Thursday, showing improvements in high-speed internet access across the state. The report, developed under the 2021 Comprehensive Broadband Connectivity Act, found that 97.4% of New York addresses are now served by high-speed internet Since last year, the number of served addresses increased by 29,763 and underserved addresses dropped by 1,871. PSC Chair Rory Christian said the report supports efforts to identify underserved communities and guide policy decisions. "Broadband is now considered essential for education, health care and economic activity," he noted.

A coalition of 42 state attorneys general urged Congress to pass the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act in a letter Monday. The bill would "end the abusive use of mortgage credit trigger leads while preserving their use in narrowly defined circumstances," the bipartisan group of AGs said. They said legislation is needed to stop unwanted robocalls and texts after a consumer applies for a mortgage. Current law allows companies to sell consumers' information in the real estate market immediately after they apply for a mortgage. The bill would limit access to such data.

Hawaii lawmakers passed a bill Monday clarifying certain rules for the state USF that expand access to telecom services for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The bipartisan bill, HB-1052, would direct the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission to "implement and manage the universal service program effectively." The bill clarifies that the PUC must ensure that individuals with print disabilities have access to essential telecom services, "including providing free, print-disability-friendly telephonic access to time-sensitive information." The commission would be authorized to use up to $150,000 to implement the requirement. The bill now goes to Gov. Josh Green (D).

A Louisiana resolution would require quarterly reports from the state's broadband office on the status of broadband coverage in rural areas. State Rep. Rhonda Butler (R) introduced HR-327 on Monday to mandate quarterly reports on the "implementation, performance and rural coverage" of state and federally funded broadband infrastructure projects. The reports would include all projects underway or completed, the percentage of rural homes and businesses serviced by each project, any challenges or issues, recommendations to serve hard-to-reach or remote areas, and an assessment of whether underserved or unserved areas are "being bypassed or deprioritized."

The Oklahoma Broadband Office launched a new dashboard providing "top line data" on the state's progress of broadband expansion, the agency announced Friday. The dashboard includes award amount, technology used, project status and other information at the county, congressional, state House and state Senate district level. Also Friday, OBO announced that Atlas Broadband officially launched eight projects totaling $34.2 million. The ISP is connecting fiber in at least two of its projects. Oklahoma is "igniting a future where our rural communities thrive," said OBO Executive Director Mike Sanders.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D) announced $2.3 million in digital skills and workforce readiness programs last week (see 2405300054). The Digital Opportunities to Connect Kansans program, run by the state's Office of Broadband Development, will fund digital literacy training and cybersecurity education for 13 organizations, targeting about 50,000 residents. “Community organizations across Kansas will use this funding to create immediate opportunities for those aiming to increase digital skills and knowledge,” Kelly said. Among the organizations are the Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, which will create a pilot program to provide digital opportunities and "extend access to critical digital education," and Tree Top Security, which will provide cybersecurity and digital skills training to businesses in northwest Kansas, the announcement said.

Ohio awarded nearly $23.7 million in broadband infrastructure funding Friday through its broadband pole replacement and undergrounding program, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced. The program, administered by BroadbandOhio, the state's broadband office, will fund six ISPs' projects, spanning 23 counties. The selected ISPs -- Ohio Gig, Charter, South Central Power, Logan County Gig, the Southern Ohio Communications Co. and JB Nets -- submitted 67 applications covering 1,333 utility poles and 3,622 undergroundings.

The New York Senate voted 56-4 on Thursday to require cable and broadband providers to maintain a 24/7 toll-free number for service outages. The bill, SB-6200, now moves to the state assembly for consideration. Sens. James Skoufis (D), Shelley Mayer (D) and Steven Rhoads (R) introduced it in March. The toll-free number would be required to "adequately address a surge in phone call volume" during emergency situations or extreme weather conditions, according to the legislation text. "Any New Yorker will attest to the frustration of contacting a company when an issue arises," said a bill justification. The measure ensures that consumers can "easily reach their service provider to address any issues."

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development announced about $13.7 million in broadband grants Thursday through the state's Home Stretch for Public Housing program. Administered by the Office of Statewide Broadband, the program funds costs associated with fixing and upgrading internal infrastructure in low-income, nonprofit and municipally owned units. The awardees included Comcast, which received about $4.9 million to improve services for 10,000 units across the state. Montgomery County received nearly $7.5 million. Simple Fiber also won nearly $1.3 million to serve Wicomico and Worcester counties. “The money provided through these awards will strengthen Maryland’s digital equity and inclusion efforts across the state” and "ensure that every Marylander has equal access to digital resources, technologies, and opportunities," said Office of Statewide Broadband Director Ronnie Hammond.