What's on the agenda for policymakers.
Agenda
Amid debates surrounding children’s privacy and safety online, the topic of age verification has been more relevant than ever. Utah passed a law this year requiring social media platforms to restrict access to minors without parental permission, and Congress and multiple states are considering legislation that would similarly require platforms to verify users’ ages.
Another Twist in The BEAD Grant Process?
Word has been circulating that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) recently informed State Broadband Offices that they must submit a final Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) plan to the NTIA one year after receiving approval of the Initial Proposal of grant rules. The ugly twist is that the NTIA is expecting the Final Proposal to include a final list of all BEAD grant winners. Everybody has always assumed that the Final Proposal would be just that – a proposal that describes and fine-tunes the rules being used to award grants.
This discussion will delve into the crucial role of early stakeholder engagement in achieving successful projects that are embraced and championed by the local community. Through a combination of real-life success stories and cautionary tales, along with helpful approaches and resources, the panel will demonstrate the need for customized approaches rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all formula for success.
Lessons learned from the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) and its implications for the ongoing E-rate program.
Congress allocated a significant $7 billion to the ECF two years ago, enabling anchor institutions, including schools and libraries, to provide crucial broadband access to homes during the pandemic. As the ECF program gradually winds down, now is the perfect time to reflect on its impact and explore which aspects of the ECF should be integrated into the ongoing E-rate program.
A key ingredient to successfully deploying a high-speed internet or fiber project is to collaborate with local governments. Counties are on the front lines of ensuring their residents receive access to quality, high-speed internet services that will allow residents to thrive.
Senators Suggest FCC Explore Supplemental Funding for RDOF Winners
Since Phase I of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) concluded, it has become more expensive to deploy broadband due to rampant increases in construction materials, equipment, and labor costs. Given the challenges, RDOF winners—especially smaller providers—are facing, we appreciate your review of the following options:
Satellite internet is on the way after Arctic fiber cut unplugs part of Alaska
Satellite internet competitors OneWeb and SpaceX are in the running to reconnect Alaskans after ice damaged a sub-sea fiber-optic cable in the Arctic Ocean. While repairs are expected to take an additional six to eight weeks, satellites could help locals weather the widespread outage.
At Nominations Hearing, Sen. Cruz Calls Out Fraud-Risk in Affordable Connectivity Program
The [Federal Communications Commission] exercises tremendous power not only over the media, but also over consumers’ pocketbooks. Through the Universal Service Fund (USF) the agency has imposed burdensome taxes on American consumers to fund inefficient, ever-expanding programs. Nominees must be good stewards of funding and stand up for taxpayers’ interests. Despite being repeatedly excoriated by the [Government Accountability Office] and economists for failing to track where USF money was going, the current FCC leadership failed to learn from past mistakes in setting up the Affordable Conne
Broadband Service Requires FCC Oversight, Nominee Tells Senate
Federal Communications Commission nominee Anna Gomez left little doubt that if confirmed, she would vote in favor of classifying broadband as a Title II telecommunications service—a move that would enable the agency to prohibit carriers from blocking or throttling web traffic. Gomez told lawmakers that internet access was too essential to remain unregulated. “Title II gives the strongest oversight to the FCC over the service,” she added. Broadband is currently considered a Title I information service—and is largely unregulated. Title II classification, by contrast, would allow the FCC to im
The Affordable Connectivity Program Needs More Funding to Continue Closing the Digital Divide
High-speed internet service at home is no longer a luxury—it is a necessity.