It could cost more than $1.87 billion to remove and replace Huawei and ZTE equipment in U.S. telecom networks, according to a new report released today by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The ZTE and Huawei replacement cost estimate was…
Policy
FCC Connected Care Pilot Program Eligibility Requirements Released
The Federal Communications Commission today released a Public Notice with information and guidance for potential applications to the FCC Connected Care Pilot Program. The program will provide as much as $100 million from the Universal Service Fund over three years…
FCC: Company That Filed False Form 477 Data Still Seems to Be at It
The FCC has proposed a $164,000 fine against internet provider Barrier Communications Corp, which uses the brand BarrierFree, for filing false Form 477 broadband availability information. If the name sounds familiar, that’s because Barrier is the company whose inaccurate reporting…
RDOF Auction Bidders Could Number Over 500, Including Verizon, Viasat, SpaceX, Cox
The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) auction could have as many as 505 bidders, according to the FCC. The commission said today that it received complete applications from 121 entities and incomplete applications from 384 entities. Those who submitted incomplete…
Tennessee More than Doubles Funding for Broadband Improvements
Tennessee has allocated an additional $61 million for broadband. The Tennessee broadband funding is an emergency program to improve service during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing grants to service providers. The grants, which were announced by the governor’s office and…
FCC Extends C-Band Relocation Lump Sum Deadline
The FCC yesterday extended the C-band lump sum deadline, which requires earth station operators to tell the commission which of two relocation options they will choose as the commission gets set to auction a portion of the band. The original…
FCC Hangs on to 25/3 Mbps Broadband Definition for 2021 Broadband Deployment Report
The FCC is seeking input on how it should prepare its 2021 annual broadband deployment report. The report, which is intended to determine whether broadband is being deployed in a reasonable and timely manner, traditionally generates controversy, and 2021 is…
FCC Will Auction Another 100 MHz of Mid-Band Spectrum for 5G
The Department of Defense (DOD) and the White House said today that 100 MHz of mid-band spectrum between 3.45 and 3.55 GHz will be made available for commercial use. In a statement, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said the commission will…
FCC Adopts C-Band Auction Rules for Mid-Band 5G Spectrum, Start Date in December
The FCC today adopted rules for the planned auction of spectrum in the C-band. The band includes 280 MHz of spectrum between 3.7 and 3.98 GHz and is considered mid-band spectrum well suited to 5G deployment. The auction, to be…
Mississippi Electric Cooperatives Get $65 Million for Rural Broadband Through CARES Act
Fifteen Mississippi rural electric cooperatives have won a combined total of $65 million in rural broadband funding through the CARES Act passed earlier this year in response to the COVID-19 crisis. The money came indirectly through the state, which carved…
Windstream Kinetic President Shares Details on Rural Electric Co-op Broadband Partnership
Windstream said today that it will partner with rural electric co-op Colquitt Electric Membership Corp. on a broadband buildout in rural Georgia. In an interview with Telecompetitor, Jeff Small, president of Windstream’s Kinetic business unit, shared details about the partners’…
Amazon Kuiper Satellite Broadband Gains Approval, Amazon Commits $10B to Latest LEO Effort
The FCC has approved Amazon’s application to provide satellite broadband using a fleet of 3,236 non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellites. According to an Amazon filing with the FCC, the project, known as Kuiper, will be able to serve multiple world regions,…