May 2023

The Next Spectrum Battle May be Between AT&T/AST and T-Mobile/SpaceX

The same day that SpaceX scored a big win on the proper use of spectrum, it became embroiled in a new fight over appropriate spectrum use. The new fight is with AT&T over SpaceX’s plans to enable calls from T-Mobile cellphones via SpaceX satellites. That type of service is called supplemental coverage from space (SCS) and is a market AT&T also is pursuing via a deal with satellite operator AST.

Sponsor: 

Communications and Technology Subcommittee

House Commerce Committee

Date: 
Tue, 05/23/2023 - 10:00

Witness

The Honorable Alan Davidson, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and Administrator, National Telecommunications and Information Administration



Readers' Choice 2023: The Top ISPs in North America

Our broadband internet connection at home must be as rock-solid and dependable as any other utility.

US Treasury Releases Final Version of SLFRF/CPF Supplemental Broadband Guidance

The US Treasury Department has released the final version of important compliance guidance applicable to broadband projects funded through the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) or Capital Project Fund (CPF) awards.

The State with the Best Gigabit Broadband Availability is . . .

North Dakota ranks as the best-connected state with gigabit broadband availability, according to a new report from Smarthomestarter.com. North Dakota broadband providers offer gigabit service to 60.58% of residential locations in the state — the highest percentage in the nation, according to the research.

Rural Tennessee co-op a year ahead of schedule on fiber buildout

The state of Tennessee is expected by some estimates to receive as much as $896 million through the federal government's $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.

Vermont Congressional Delegation Announces First USDA ReConnect Grant to Vermont

Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Peter Welch (D-VT) and Representative Becca Balint (D-VT) announced that NEK Community Broadband (NEKCB) will receive Vermont’s first-ever United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) ReConnect grant to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network in Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans counties in Vermont.

The Wisconsin Public Service Commission Awards $16.6 Million in Broadband Expansion Grants for 24 Projects

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) awarded funding from the state’s Broadband Expansion Grant Program. The PSC awarded $16,601,085 for 24 projects that will expand broadband internet to 6,042 residential and 276 business locations that are underserved. The projects receiving awards will impact 19 counties. The grant awards will leverage $25,360,858 of matching funds from recipients. The broadband expansion grants invest in infrastructure projects for internet service in areas of the state where people need improved service.

Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Defaults Estimate: Over $2.8 Billion -- What Happens to That Money?

Nearly every winning bid in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) rural broadband funding program has now either been authorized or deemed to be in default.