Stories

After months of hearing about a new infrastructure bill rumbling its way through Congress, the U.S. House of Representatives finally passed a bipartisan infrastructure package on September 30. The $1.5 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, designed to refurbish the nation's roads, railways, public transit, power grids, and water systems, will also include $65 billion for broadband, aimed at connecting the unserved parts of America and support for low-income families.

An in-person event once again this year – at least in hybrid form – the Consumer Electronics Show came to Las Vegas from January 5 to 8 with over 1900 exhibitors and some 2,400 members of the press. And after a year of virtual conferencing due to the pandemic, CES 2022 returned in a big way, with some of the biggest names in tech showing the latest in innovation, from TVs to tablets, smart glasses to smart gadgets, watches to wireless devices, and much more. With so much to see, absorb, and ponder, what did we learn from this year’s conference? Here are three of our biggest takeaways.   

What is Wi-Fi, how does it work, and even more importantly, where is it headed? Let’s explore that by laying out the key terms, take a look ahead to the next generation of Wi-Fi, and find out how this next step will free the internet from our homes and offices and bring it fully into the great outdoors.

From a tech and entertainment standpoint, there’s plenty to be excited for in 2022. From expanded broadband access, widespread adoption of Wi-Fi 6, and production of cutting-edge content taking place across the country, our future is both fast and entertaining!

At its heart, television does much more than entertain—it offers a chance to expand our horizons and learn about other cultures and ways of being. For this reason, diverse representation on television is critical, raising awareness, empowering individuals of historically oppressed groups, and expanding career opportunities for underrepresented groups in entertainment. And it turns out that most of us agree. According to a new report from ViacomCBS, 79% of all viewers say more diversity is needed on screens.

It’s no secret that television was a vital part of our lives during the COVID pandemic. Through the long days and nights of quarantines and lockdowns, being able to unwind in front of our favorite series, specials, and movies kept us entertained and connected to the outside world. Cable TV networks also have another critical role to play: bringing back our economy. As our communities begin to rebound, the jobs and investments provided by the industry are doing an outsized part to fuel that swing.

Hard as it is to believe, another year is winding its way to a close – time to break out the holiday decorations, don the ugly sweater, and check that gift list twice. In the midst of the whirlwind of activity, though, don’t forget to grab your hot beverage of choice and make time to unwind with some holiday TV.

Every day, through our computers and mobile phones, our televisions and smart devices, broadband keeps us connected, working, and entertained. During the COVID-19 crisis, it has been a lifeline, allowing schools to operate, families to keep in touch, businesses to keep selling, and the public to stay informed. It seems virtually impossible to imagine how we would have weathered the pandemic without it. But behind the obvious benefits brought to us by blazing fast internet, broadband provides other fundamental gains – ones that are no less important for being less visible. Thanks to the recently released Investing in America report, let’s take a look at three of broadband’s hidden advantages.