August 2022

Lawmakers Urge FCC To Advance Broadband And Spectrum Access For Native Communities

A bicameral group of lawmakers sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel urging the FCC to consider more ways to advance Native communities’ access to and ownership of spectrum over their lands. It was recently estimated that nearly a third of Tribal lands in the United States lacked internet access. Over 1.5 million people living on Tribal lands lack access to broadband services. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated this disparity, limiting access to telemedicine, virtual and remote learning, and public safety programs, among other services.

Gov Reynolds announces new statewide broadband map, requests public input

Gov Reynolds (R-IA) and the Department of Management Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) announced the release of a new broadband map of Iowa, reporting the conditions of broadband availability in accordance with federal grant guidelines at over 1 million locations throughout the state. The public can view the map here.

Senate Panel Considers Future of Spectrum

The Senate Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband held a hearing entitled Future of Spectrum to examine the management of spectrum. The Federal Communications Commission's spectrum auction authority is set to expire at the end of September. Congress has a unique opportunity to set future spectrum priorities and coordination goals to encourage efficient spectrum use. The hearing aimed to examine important policy considerations to ensure spectrum is utilized for the greatest benefit to the public.

Treasury approves Delaware’s plan to invest $40.3 million in nine libraries to provide communities with public access to the internet

The US Department of the Treasury approved Delaware’s plan to invest $40.3 million of Capital Projects Fund funding in nine libraries to provide communities with public access to the internet and expanded resources. Delaware’s plan states that each of the library projects will provide access to highspeed internet for community members who may lack access in their homes. Capital Projects Fund dollars will be used to construct new or expand existing libraries in Delaware to meet the needs of identified communities.

FCC Releases Voice Telephone Services Report June 2021 (Federal Communications Commission)

Submitted by Grace Tepper on Tue, 08/02/2022 - 16:02

Starry likes its chances during these tough economic times (Fierce)

Submitted by Grace Tepper on Tue, 08/02/2022 - 16:01

Privacy bill strips FCC oversight of telecom data abuse, worrying consumer advocates (CyberScoop)

Submitted by Grace Tepper on Tue, 08/02/2022 - 16:01

Verizon works with Juniper to quadruple fiber network capacity (Fierce)

Submitted by benton on Tue, 08/02/2022 - 13:40

How Internet Access As A Human Right Could Impact Tech Companies

The case for internet access as a human right remains a hotly debated subject. However, in the post-pandemic world, it’s one that is becoming increasingly skewed toward the affirmative. Data Reportal reports that 63 percent of the world uses the internet daily. When internet access is a requirement of functionality in the modern world, when does it become a human right? As the world has exited the stages of lockdowns and quarantines, the internet has remained in the spotlight.

Consolidated Communications Announces Sale of Wireless Investments to Verizon

Consolidated Communications announced that Clio Subsidiary has entered into an agreement to sell its limited partnership interests in five wireless partnerships managed by Cellco Partnership, doing business as Verizon Wireless, to Cellco for an aggregate purchase price of $490 million. The net proceeds of the sales will be invested in the business and used to support Consolidated’s Fiber to the Premises build plan. The sales are expected to close by the end of 2022, subject to certain closing conditions and third-party purchase rights available to other partners in the partnerships.

Benton

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