The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) includes up to $350 billion in funding to be distributed to the states for a variety of projects, broadband included. Rules for how that funding can be allocated are being finalized through the Treasury…
Policy
Final Rules for $268 Million Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program Released
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is administering a new Connecting Minority Communities Pilot program that aims to support minority communities with funding for technology advancement and broadband. The program has a $268 million budget, appropriated from the Consolidated…
FCC: Application Window for $7.2 Billion Emergency Connectivity Fund Opens June 29
Schools and libraries can start filing applications on June 29 for financial support for various tech equipment, including laptops and tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and broadband connectivity for off-campus use by students, school staff, and library patrons. The funding…
New York $15 Internet Plan Requirement is on Hold for Now
The state of New York’s plan to require broadband providers to offer a $15 monthly internet plan to low-income households is on hold—at least for now. The U.S. Eastern District Court of New York issued a preliminary injunction to prevent…
FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Has More Than 2.3 Million Enrolled
More than 2.3 million households have enrolled in the FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, Jessica Rosenworcel, FCC acting chairwoman, announced today. More than 800 telecom providers are participating in the program that allows households in all 50 states, Washington, D.C.,…
Will Biden and GOP Settle on $65 Billion for Broadband?
As President Biden continues to negotiate with Republican legislators on infrastructure investment, both sides reportedly have proposed to allot $65 billion for broadband. That’s the amount the Republicans initially proposed in April in response to a proposal from Biden to…
RCAP Act of 2021 Would Direct Spectrum Auction Proceeds To Rural Broadband
The Rural Connectivity Advancement Program (RCAP) Act of 2021 introduced in the Senate yesterday would direct 10% of revenues raised in FCC spectrum auctions toward rural broadband. If adopted, the bill would create a Rural Broadband Assessment and Deployment Fund…
Report: Price of Most Popular Broadband Service Declined 26.2% Since 2015
The U.S. weighted average price for providers’ most popular broadband speed tiers declined 26.2% between 2015 and 2021, according to a new report from provider association USTelecom. Over the same period, the download speed of the most popular weighted average…
Viasat Threatens Lawsuit to Delay SpaceX Starlink Broadband
Viasat has asked the FCC to stay the “effectiveness” of a recent order granting SpaceX’s application to modify plans for its LEO satellite broadband constellation. According to Viasat, the FCC violated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) by failing to…
FCC Commissioner Wants Big Tech to Contribute to USF, Help Fund Universal Broadband
Big Tech companies such as Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix and Google should help fund the cost of providing broadband to all Americans, argues FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr in an opinion piece in Newsweek published today. “Big Tech has been enjoying…
FCC Proposes New STIR/SHAKEN Date for Possible Robocall Facilitators
WASHINGTON, May 20, 2021—The Federal Communications Commission today proposed and sought comment on shortening the amount of time afforded to certain small voice service providers for implementing caller ID authentication using the STIR/SHAKEN framework. New evidence indicates that a subset…
FCC Demands Two More Companies Immediately Stop Facilitating Illegal Robocall Campaigns
WASHINGTON, May 18, 2021—FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel today announced the latest FCC action to combat illegal robocalls and spoofing campaigns that target and defraud consumers. The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau sent cease and desist letters to VaultTel Solutions and Prestige…
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