Private sector initiatives like Comcast?s Internet Essentials and AT&T?s commitment to offer affordable options are steps in the right direction to reduce the economic barriers to broadband access. But less than half of households in the lowest-income quintile have Internet at home.

AT&T completed its $49 billion acquisition of DirecTV. As part of the merger, AT&T committed to increase its all-fiber deployment of 12.5 million customer locations, to offer gigabit service to any E-rate eligible school within the company?s deployment, and to make available a low-priced broadband service for low-income consumers in its wireline footprint.

The company is delivering on a promise it made last year to bring its U-verse with GigaPower fiber service to Durham, NC as part of a regional initiative to stimulate next generation broadband deployment.

As part of the proposed AT&T-DirecTV deal, the company says it will bring its fiber network to 11.7 million households within four years.

The "ultra-fast" Internet network will support speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second, the fastest speed currently available to residents in those areas.

Regulators are nearing the end of their review of the AT&T/DirecTV deal, which is expected to be approved.

Legislation has been introduced that would direct the FCC to establish a broadband Lifeline program. Activists, regulators, and members of the telecommunications industry -- all are lending support.

Both AT&T and Verizon are moving further into the wireless video streaming sector as viewing preferences change.

Regulators at the FCC and DoJ are nearing the end of their review process. The AT&T-DirecTV deal is expected to pass.

AT&T?s $49 billion acquisition of DirecTV is moving through FCC and DoJ regulatory processes, and it's expected to be approved.