The FCC’s announcement yesterday that it would not be awarding over $2 billion in Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) to two of the largest winning bidders — SpaceX/Starlink and LTD Broadband – means that nearly a quarter (23.7%) of the…
By: Joan Engebretson
Report: Small Rural Telcos Increased Network Investment in 2021
Small independent telcos increased rural network investment “slightly” in 2021, according to a new report that will be released soon from accounting firm FORVIS. This was true for companies with annual revenues below $2.5 million and those with revenues exceeding…
Astound Upgrades Network System Wide, Will Offer 1.2 Gbps Service
Cable broadband MSO Astound said today that it has upgraded its entire broadband footprint to support speeds of 1.2 Gbps downstream and 50 Mbps upstream. In addition, the company unveiled the Astound TV+ app, which enables video subscribers to stream…
Dish vs. Directv: The Latest Opponents to Issue Dueling Data on 12 GHz
Dish and Directv are the latest opponents to issue dueling data about the impact of a proposed rule change for the 12 GHz spectrum band. A proceeding at the FCC is studying opening up 12 GHz spectrum for two-way 5G…
Segra CEO: Dish Tower Deal Highlights Growing 5G Fiber-to-the-Tower Opportunity
Regional fiber operator Segra announced last week that it has connected fiber to 500 cell towers to support Dish’s 5G rollout. And according to Segra CEO Kevin T. Hart, Segra’s business with Dish isn’t finished. “This was phase one,” said…
FCC Your Home, Your Internet and ACP Outreach Get the Go-Ahead
The FCC approved plans today for outreach programs aimed at increasing awareness and signups for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which pays up to $30 monthly toward the cost of internet connectivity for low-income households. One of the programs is…
RDOF Authorizations Keep Coming, But SpaceX, LTD, Others Remain MIA
The FCC has authorized Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) money for six more companies. All six authorizations are for smaller companies, and the funding amounts authorized are comparatively small. The RDOF program covers some of the costs of deploying broadband…
Verizon Upgrades Core Network to 400 Gbps Per Port
Verizon said today that it is upgrading its core fiber network to support speeds of 400 Gbps per port optical technology. The company said the upgrade will support growing bandwidth demand, particularly on its 5G Ultra Wideband network. That network…
USDA to Begin Accepting ReConnect Round 4 Applications September 6
Rules for Round 4 of the USDA ReConnect rural broadband funding program are scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on Thursday. According to an “unpublished” version of the rules available on the Federal Register site, USDA will accept…
2.5 GHz Spectrum Auction Raises $103 Million on Day One
Auction 108 of spectrum in the 2.5 GHz spectrum band got underway last Friday. Nearly $103.5 million was raised in just a single auction round. The 2.5 GHz band is considered mid-band spectrum, which is viewed as supporting the optimum…
Broadcast Internet Aims to Offer Alternative Streaming Path Using TV Spectrum
It’s time to add “broadcast internet” to your broadband glossary if you haven’t added it already, as news this week from two companies involved in the emerging technology – Auton and Anywave – illustrates. Telecompetitor talked to Vern Fotheringham, chairman…
Will Unlicensed Fixed Wireless Technology Make the Cut with the BEAD Program?
One of the biggest surprises in the rules that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issued for the $42.5 billion BEAD rural broadband funding program was the agency’s definition of “reliable broadband” – at least with regard to fixed…
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