December 2018

RUS Broadband Pilot Program Funding Opportunity

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announces its general policy and application procedures for funding under the broadband pilot program established pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 which provides loans, grants, and loan/ grant combinations to facilitate broadband deployment in rural areas. In facilitating the expansion of broadband services and infrastructure, the pilot will fuel long-term rural economic development and opportunities in rural America. One of those opportunities is precision agriculture. The use of this technology requires a robust broadband connection.

The Latest Net Neutrality Head Count in the House

Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) became the latest lawmaker to come out in favor of the discharge petition to bring net neutrality to a vote on to the House floor. The latest pledge comes just a few days after the formal deadline to file the discharge petition elapsed.

Bills, Bills, Bills

The Senate advanced a series of tech and telecom-related bills by unanimous consent on Dec 13, including:

The Future of American Broadband Is a Comcast Monopoly

The Federal Communications Commission released a new, 182-page Communications Marketplace Report it claims proves the US broadband industry is awash with vibrant competition. In reality, consumer groups, third-party data and the report itself paint a starkly different picture; one where consumers increasingly only have access to just one Internet service provider: Comcast.

Chairman Pai hopes to find common ground with lawmakers in the new Congress

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai didn’t quite rule out an eventual run for office and said he hopes to find common ground with lawmakers in the new Congress. He said his 2019 agenda will focus on on rural broadband, telemedicine, 5G, public safety communications and robocalls. Regarding the Mobility Fund, he wouldn’t say the consequences carriers could face as a result of the investigation into whether one or more carriers overstated their wireless coverage for maps that will determine eligibility for subsidies under the $4.5 billion program.