February 2023

Full fibre to reach half of homes, as competition drives better broadband

As construction of the UK’s new broadband backbone continues, full-fibre internet will reach half of UK homes in March 2023. Full-fibre broadband is better broadband. It’s more reliable, and many times faster than the average ‘superfast’ connections people have largely used in recent years. Just five years ago, only 6% of homes could get full fibre. But thanks to competition and investment from network builders, that had reached 42% by September 2022. Based on current data, Ofcom now expects the 50% threshold to be passed in March, and to reach more than 80% within the next two years.

Weekly Digest

The Digital Skill Divide

Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

Friday, February 17, 2023

FCC Investigates Broadband Providers Over Coverage Claims (Bloomberg)

Submitted by dclay@benton.org on Thu, 02/16/2023 - 17:34

Sen. Cruz Announces Subcommittee Ranking Members for 118th Congress

The following Republican Ranking Members for the 118th Congress:

FCC Looks to Help Domestic Violence Survivors Access Connectivity

The Federal Communication Commission proposed rules to implement key provisions in the Safe Connections Act to support survivors of domestic abuse and other related crimes seeking to maintain critical connections with friends, family, and support networks. These proposed rules would help survivors obtain separate service lines from shared accounts that include their abusers, protect the privacy of calls made by survivors to domestic abuse hotlines, and provide support for survivors who suffer from financial hardship through our affordability programs.

FCC Encourages Greater Tribal Participation in E-Rate Program

The Federal Communications Commission adopted a proposal seeking comment on steps to encourage greater participation by eligible Tribal applicants in the E-Rate program, which provides high-speed internet to schools and libraries.