Through a complex financial tactic, the $34 billion Dish Network claimed a 25 percent ?small business? discount in the federal spectrum auction, saving DISH $3 billion.

"We need health information technology to bring our health care system into the 21st century," HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced in early September. "These funds will help safety net providers acquire state-of-the-art health information technology systems to ensure the delivery of quality care to some of the most remote areas of our country."

While a lot of attention has been focused on the infrastructure grants awarded by The Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), the biggest impact that BTOP grants could be in broadband adoption. There are a number of very exciting projects in this field, and several different models to increase digital literacy and interest in broadband.

On Wednesday, December 15, the Communications Workers of America and the Speed Matters campaign released the 2010 Report on Internet Speeds in all 50 States.

Bretwood Higman and Erin McKittrick live in a yurt ? a portable dwelling traditionally used by nomads ? in the remote town of Seldovia, Alaska, where a trip for supplies store could mean a plane ride. The couple goes without many of the trappings of modern life: they chop their own firewood, cook with a stove, and draw water from a well. However, when it comes to broadband, their attitude is a bit different.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced its second round of grant awards for broadband mapping programs in Alaska, Colorado, Delaware, Kansas, Louisiana, and Missouri.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced $3.4 million in grants to improve Internet connections of public libraries in Kansas, Arkansas, New York, Virginia, and Massachusetts. Through the Opportunity Online program, the Foundation will partner with fourteen additional states to help libraries compete for broadband stimulus funds.

Speed Matters released the third annual report on Internet Speeds in America - and U.S. connection speeds have not improved significantly in the past year. The results of the report are based on the last-mile connection speed of over 413,000 Internet users who took the online test between May 2008 and May 2009. The data also confirms that where a customer lives is a good indicator of Internet connection speed. With some exceptions, if you live in a Northeastern or Mid-Atlantic state, you are likely to have good high-speed Internet options.

The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Rural Health Care Pilot Program (RHCPP) announced grants for five broadband telehealth networks - connecting hospitals in nine states on April 16. The program will also fund a sixth network in Alaska.

Speed Matters has released our second