A Discussion About the State of Universal Service
Friday, May 12, 2023
May 2023
Weekly Digest
Weekly Digest
Striking Writers Find Their Villain: Netflix (New York Times)
Submitted by benton on Thu, 05/11/2023 - 18:01FCC Filing Suggests AT&T is Serious About AST Satellite Cellphone Service (telecompetitor)
Submitted by benton on Thu, 05/11/2023 - 18:00Don’t Build Networks to Nowhere: Staying on Track in Broadband Funding
Some policymakers are calling for money to subsidize middle-mile networks. Because it is so difficult to precisely define “middle mile,” and therefore identify and measure its outcomes beyond simply being built, it’s hard for politicians and recipients of the money to resist their spending spree of federal funds regardless of whether it’s needed. More middle-mile funding can generate new construction and a ribbon-cutting ceremony, but nobody will ever know if it generated more broadband.
[Sarah Oh Lam is a senior fellow at the Technology Policy Institute]
As states prepare their Five-Year Action Plans to submit to NTIA, the inclusion of training has never been more important. Broadband Equity and Access Deployment (BEAD) funding will be a key element in building the fiber workforce through comprehensive training.
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Announces $133 Million Available Through the Broadband Opportunity Program
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) commited $133 million in funding to broadband Internet projects in the second application cycle through the Broadband Opportunity Program. The program was created to expand broadband Internet service to unserved areas of this state, which will encourage job creation, capital investment, and the strengthening and diversification of local economies.
Ohio ‘ahead of the game’ with broadband workforce training, says Lt. Gov
Like most states, Ohio has its own approach to bolstering broadband accessibility. One area where Ohio is seeing progress, Lt. Governor Jon Husted (R-OH) said, is in enhancing its broadband workforce. Lt. Gov Husted, who also leads Ohio’s Office of Workforce Transformation, explained Ohio State University (OSU) has developed a curriculum for 5G and high-speed internet expansion, which can be used by other colleges and universities as well as the private sector.
Private equity firms discuss the business model of fiber deployments
WIA Connect(X) show panelists were asked if there is a magic number that developers should target for the cost per home passed with fiber. Beth Hoffman, managing director with Berkshire Partners, said that a lot of it depends on the density of the market. The cost per home passed in a dense city like San Francisco (CA) could be as low as $700.
DigitalC Selected by City of Cleveland As Partner to Build Citywide Broadband Network
DigitalC, a local nonprofit technology social enterprise, has been selected by Mayor Justin Bibb (D-Cleveland) to receive $20 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding from the City of Cleveland (OH) to deliver affordable, high-speed internet to city residents. The Cleveland City Council must approve legislation submitted by the mayor to allocate this funding to DigitalC. The legislation will be presented at the next City Council meeting on May 15, 2023. DigitalC was selected through a competitive process.