A new report from consulting firm Deloitte found a strong positive broadband economic impact but questions current subsidy programs. Those programs should not aim for overly ambitious and more costly broadband speeds because doing so might prevent promising new technologies…
The State of New York has mandated that broadband service providers offer a $15 broadband service tier to low-income households. The mandate was included in the state’s budget authorization bill, and service providers have 60 days to comply. The New…
The Wireline Competition Bureau of the FCC will soon open a comments period, seeking input on how to best distribute the $7.1 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF), aimed at helping close the so called homework gap. The funding is a…
The FCC is seeking comment on requests for eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) status for winning Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) bidders that don’t already have ETC status. Considering the controversy that some winning bids have generated, the commission is likely…
The Texas Telephone Association, which represents about 50 rural telecom providers, is suing the state of Texas in connection with the state’s Universal Service Fund (USF). According to a report published by media outlet The Texan, the state owes the…
Congress should provide funding for broadband, argues Verizon in a 28-page proposal titled Accelerating America: Affordability, Adoption, Access. Among other things, Verizon recommends lifting restrictions on municipal networks in unserved areas and providing $20 to $50 monthly on an electronic…
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has chosen 14 pilot programs over 11 states for the Connected Care Pilot Program, awarding applicants $26.6 million for their proposed projects. The program started taking applications for a projected $100 million in awards in…
The C-band spectrum auction isn’t over yet, but we already know it will create a windfall for the U.S. Treasury, having already doubled or even tripled some forecasts. Outgoing FCC Chairman Ajit Pai wants to see $50 billion of the…
The FCC today adopted rules for funding the replacement of telecom network equipment deemed to pose a security threat to telecom networks. In an order adopted today, the commission also addressed other responsibilities assigned to the commission in the Secure…
Congress should act to directly fund the Universal Service Fund program, said Jeff McElfresh, CEO of AT&T Communications, at an industry event today. Modernizing USF was one of four AT&T broadband policy recommendations that McElfresh outlined. McElfresh made his comments…
The FCC said yesterday that all price cap carriers eligible to receive a seventh year of Connect America Fund (CAF) support have opted to do so. The total value of the funding accepted is nearly $1.5 billion. Carriers that will…
All locations in the U.S. Virgin Island are set to receive 1 Gbps fixed broadband. The deployment will be funded, in part, through the FCC Connect USVI Stage 2 program. Broadband VI was the winning applicant for the Virgin Islands…
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