1. Monthly archive
  2. May 2022

May 2022

Gov Evers’ broadband veto riles rural Wisconsin Republicans

A disagreement over who should get free access to high speed internet in some parts of Wisconsin likely means no one is getting a new connection anytime soon. Gov Tony Evers (D-WI) last week vetoed SB 365, which would have expanded high speed internet service in rural parts of the state. The governor said expanding broadband access is one of his top priorities, but scuttled the plan because he doesn’t like how Republican lawmakers were going about it.

Journalism is under "digital siege"

The global climate for journalists has become more perilous as autocrats weaponize the media to consolidate power. Those efforts are increasingly being carried out through surveillance and digital attacks.

Sens Capito and Klobuchar Introduce Rural Broadband Protection Act

Sens Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced the Rural Broadband Protection Act (S.4126), which would require a more thorough vetting and verification process for internet service providers seeking to participate in the Federal Communications Commission's high-cost programs.

FCC Announces $200 Million for New Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Broadband Deployments

The Federal Communications Commission is ready to authorize $199,336,695 through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund to fund new broadband deployments in 26 states and the Northern Mariana Islands, bringing service to over 230,000 locations. This is the ninth round of program funding since July 2021, when the FCC announced the first approvals for applicant bids meeting the stringent requirements that Chairwoman Rosenworcel put in place to ensure the integrity of the program, which draws on funding in the high-cost universal service program.

Federal Universal Service Support Mechanisms Fund Size Projections for Third Quarter 2022

Fund size and administrative cost projections for the third quarter of calendar year 2022 (3Q2022). USAC projects a consolidated budget of $61.60 million for 3Q2022.

FCC Proposes $100,000 Fine Against LTD for Prohibited Communications

The Federal Communications Commission is proposing a forfeiture of $100,000 against LTD Broadband for repeatedly engaging in prohibited communications of its bidding and bidding strategies during the FCC’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) Phase I Auction (Auction 904), and its failure to timely report such prohibited communications. The FCC has long-standing rules that bar communications between and among auction applicants during an auction that could detract from a fair and competitive auction process.

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