1. Monthly archive
  2. June 2023

June 2023

States' BEAD excitement tempered by execution, mapping worries

Now that Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program allocations have been announced, each state has 180 days to submit initial proposals describing how they plan to run their grant programs. Initial proposals can be submitted beginning July 1, 2023. Once the National Telecommunications and Information Administration approves a state’s initial proposal, that state will be able to request access to 20% of its BEAD allotment. But as states pull together plans for the NTIA, there is still apprehension surrounding the extensive broadband buildouts needed across the country.

The FCC’s 12 GHz Decision

One of the hardest things that the Federal Communications Commission does is to decide spectrum policy. The agency has full authority to determine the details of how we use each slice of available spectrum. Most importantly, the agency can determine who can use spectrum – and that’s why the task is challenging. In the last decade, it’s hard to think of any spectrum deliberation and decision that didn’t have to weigh the interests of multiple spectrum users. There is almost always somebody using spectrum that must be considered.

FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel's Response to Members of Congress Regarding the Alternative Connect America

In May 2023, about three dozen Members of the House of Representatives wrote to the Federal Communications Commission urging the FCC to complete work on updating  Alternative Connect America Cost Model (ACAM) and Connect America Fund-Broadband Loop Support (CAF-BLS), two universal service mechanisms that have been and remain critical to delivery of broadband in rural America. On June 20, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel replied to the letter noting that she had circulated a Report and Order for her colleagues’ consideration that would create the Enhanced A-CAM program.

Sponsor: 

Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

Date: 
Wed, 07/19/2023 - 13:00

Benton Institute for Broadband & Society Senior Fellow John Horrigan and Elena Saltzman, Director of Campaigns, Civic Nation, will participate in an Ask Me Anything (AMA) on the Affordable Connectivity Program Enrollment Performance Tool and how to best focus ACP outreach and enrollment efforts in your community.


Related Headlines: 
How is the Affordable Connectivity Program Performing?

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