by Pivot
Tag: Rural
U.S. Cellular Joins Open RAN Policy Coalition
Watch Communications to Work With Electric Co-Ops on Microsoft Airband Projects
The Watch Communications Microsoft Airband partnership aims to bring broadband to parts of Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Kentucky. Working with rural
FCC Adopts RDOF Auction Rules: LEO Satellite Broadband Not Necessarily Shut Out of Low-Latency Bids
RDOF auction rules adopted today do not categorically prevent LEO satellite broadband providers from bidding to provide low-latency service. Other aspects
FCC Authorizes More Viasat Satellite Broadband CAF-II Funding
Viasat CAF-II funding authorization for Pennsylvania was delayed because of delays in getting eligible telecommunications carrier status in the state. In
Vyve Broadband Completes Acquisition in South Carolina
Rural Broadband Provider Organizations Ask USDA to Relax “Onerous” ReConnect Award Rules
NTCA — The Rural Broadband Association and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association recommend changes to USDA ReConnect rules including
Forget the Auction? Rural Broadband Acceleration Act Calls for Early Release of RDOF Funds for Gigabit
The Rural Broadband Acceleration Act would award early funding to entities that commit to deploy gigabit service, explained the bill sponsors to reporters.
T-Mobile: 800% Spike in Veterans’ Telehealth Services, Over 20K Sessions Daily
Veterans’ telehealth have spiked during COVID-19, notes T-Mobile, which doesn’t count veterans’ telehealth sessions against their mobile data allotments.
State AGs Recommend COVID-19 Broadband Funding
Attorneys general from 35 states and territories said COVID-19 broadband funding should include increasing the Universal Service Fund and letting state and
RDOF and Your Phone Service Requirement
The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund requires providers to offer broadband and voice service. The optimal way to meet the RDOF phone service requirement may be to
Satellite Broadband Dealt a Blow as FCC Poised to Restrict Satellite to Lower RDOF Speed and Higher Latency Tiers
Rural Digital Opportunity Fund RDOF speed tiers will be weighted to favor bids to provide higher-speed service in the auction. But bids in the gigabit tier
ILSR: Cooperative Fiber Deployments Exceed 360, 62% of Subs Can Get Fiber From Their Telco Cooperative
Telecom and electric cooperative fiber deployments are on the rise, notes the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, which found that 109 electric co-ops have
FCC Outlines Proposed RDOF Timeline, Delays Auction Start with Short Forms Due by July 15
The FCC offered a RDOF timeline and announced it will vote on RDOF auction procedures in June. Despite COVID-19 and despite 180 challenges …
Green Hills Communications Embarks on Expansion Through Citizens Acquisition
Two Missouri telcos combine, as Green Hills Communications acquires all three operating companies of Citizens Communications. The acquisition will
Michigan USDA ReConnect Awards Total $22.5 Million
Michigan USDA ReConnect awards were made to Southwest Michigan Communications and Barry County Services. Both awards came in the form of grant/loan
Free COVID-19 Service: CoBank Warns of Financial Risks for Rural Broadband Providers
Rural broadband providers financial risks are significant because some customers who could pay for service may be getting it for free, the authors argue. To
Telesat Joins C Spire Rural Broadband Consortium
The Telesat C Spire alliance aims to help promote the deployment and adoption of broadband in rural areas. Telesat’s role will be to provide LEO backhaul
USDA Awards $3.3M ReConnect Grant for Fixed Broadband in South Dakota
The South Dakota USDA ReConnect grant went to SDN Communications, which will use the money to make broadband available to 275 people, 14 businesses and
Windstream Reports Record Broadband Results, Aims to Ride Broadband Wave Through Restructuring
Windstream broadband subscriber results for 1Q 2020 included 18K net adds, with 10K added during March, due in large part to the COVID-19
USDA ReConnect New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Kansas Awards Total $73M
A USDA ReConnect Kansas award went to Totah Communications in the form of an $18.9 million loan and grant of the same size. Awards made in Oklahoma included
CAF II Winner Cal.net Shares Plans to Use CBRS for 100 Mbps Fixed Wireless
CBRS 100 Mbps speeds are possible over distances of about 2.5 miles, said the CTO of Cal.net. The company will use equipment operating…
Report: Expanding USF Contribution Base Wouldn’t Hurt Broadband Adoption
A study from Berkeley Research Group commissioned by NTCA — The Rural Broadband Association about the USF contribution base and broadband adoption found
Universal Broadband Act Would Expand USF Contribution Base
The Universal Broadband Act introduced in the House calls for the Universal Service Fund program to be funded as a percentage of voice and broadband
USDA New Mexico ReConnect Awards Total $23 Million
USDA New Mexico ReConnect awards went to three companies to bring rural broadband to unserved areas of the state. The three companies — ENMR Telephone