News of Note—Verizon, TDS, RUS and more

> Former congressman Rick Boucher said Washington political gridlock is holding up the deployment of broadband in rural America. Scientific American article

> Verizon announced today that beginning Aug. 26, 2017, all local calls made within the Pennsylvania 717 area code must be placed using a 10-digit telephone number (area code plus the 7-digit telephone number). Release

> Cloud service billing will reach $9.34 billion by 2022, said IndustryARC. Release

> TDS Telecom started a construction project aimins to expand and improve broadband to nearly 900 locations in central South Carolina. Release

> Two senators have announced the Broadband Connections for Rural Opportunities Program Act, which would increase Rural Utilities Service funding for rural broadband by up to $50 million annually. Telecompetitor article