CBAN 2024 Spring Summit: Broadband Equity is Local
Our annual Spring Summit is a one-day event for communities exploring broadband options, current local broadband providers, advocates, and digital equity practioners or those thinking about their future digital equity initiatives. It's a concentrated afternoon of learning, practical advice, key policy review, and comeraderie for people across the broadband spectrum.
Gigi Sohn is the Executive Director of the American Association for Public Broadband, a Distinguished Fellow at the Georgetown Law Institute for Technology Law & Policy, and a Benton Institute Senior Fellow and Public Advocate. She sits on the Board of Directors of the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Gigi is one of the nation’s leading public advocates for open, affordable and democratic communications networks. For thirty years, she has worked across the country to defend and preserve the fundamental competition and innovation policies that have made broadband Internet access more ubiquitous, competitive, affordable, open and protective of user privacy.
SCHEDULE
2:00pm Welcome and Opening Remarks
2:15pm Keynote: Gigi Sohn
3:15pm "Show Me The Money! Funding for Broadband Projects"
BEAD and RDOF dollars won’t solve the broadband world’s problems. Ken Demlow with HR Green Fiber + Broadband explains alternative funding opportunities for new fiber broadband networks.
4:15pm "Digital Equity Starts at Home"
For every person to realize the full benefits of broadband connectivity, digital equity practices cannot fall by the wayside, despite its under-funding and the still-widespread lack of understanding of what it means and how it can transform communities. CBAN’s Jon Willow and Brianna Dillavou share steps communities can take with new or existing resources to help their residents become effective users of broadband to improve their lives and create meaningful new opportunities for local prosperity.
5:00pm IAMU 2024 Broadband Conference Opening Ceremonies
CBAN Spring Summit attendees are also welcome for this networking reception, which includes beverages and light appetizers. It's a great way to get to know provider practitioners, representatives of Iowa’s 29 municipal broadband utilities!
