1. Monthly archive
  2. July 2023

July 2023

FCC Announces Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Leadership Team

The Federal Communications Commission announced the leadership team of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. The Bureau plays a key role in promoting the deployment of innovative spectrum-based services across the country, as it develops, recommends, and administers the policy and licensing programs relating to terrestrial wireless communications, including mobile broadband, fixed access, private wireless, and personal radio services. “I am pleased to recognize the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau’s leadership team,” said WTB Bureau Chief Joel Taubenblatt.

Weekly Digest

How is the Affordable Connectivity Program Performing?

Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

Friday, July 21, 2023

Bell Charitable Foundation announces $1 million commitment to digital equity

The Bell Charitable Foundation announced a $1 million commitment to create digital equity in the communities it serves over the next five years through a series of focused grants to organizations that are expanding access to broadband Internet. The Foundation will make digital equity grants in the Midwest and Hawaii markets, where it also supports organizations that focus on Economic & Social Mobility, Technology, Environmental Sustainability, and Health & Wellbeing initiatives. Christi Cornette, Chief Administrative Officer of Altafiber and Bell Charitable Foundation Board Member,

FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel Announces Staff Changes

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced changes to her leadership team, as well as the addition of a new Legal Advisor. Chairwoman Rosenworcel announced the departure of Umair Javed from her team and the agency more broadly. Effective as of July 20th, 2023, Priscilla Delgado-Argeris will serve as Chief Counsel, Ramesh Nagarajan will assume the role of Chief Legal Advisor, and Rashann Duvall will join the Chairwoman’s team as Acting Legal Advisor on the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and other wireline issues.

Illinois Broadband Tracker

As part of his $45 billion Rebuild Illinois investment strategy, Governor JB Pritzker (D-IL) launched a statewide initiative, Connect Illinois, in August 2019 to expand broadband access across the entire state. Connect Illinois includes a capital investment from Rebuild Illinois, the creation of a Broadband Advisory Council and Broadband Office, and a new program that will provide all Illinois public K-12 students access to high-speed broadband at no charge.

NARUC Passes Resolution Supporting Funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program

At the July 16-19, 2023 summit of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), the organization passed a resolution supporting permanent funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). In its resolution, NARUC acknowledged that there were $8.6 billion of remaining ACP appropriations available for disbursement as of June 2023 and that the program is expected to run out of funding by the second quarter of 2024.

FCC Bolsters Tribal Libraries Access to E-Rate Program Funding

The Federal Communications Commission adopted an order providing Tribal libraries and other E-Rate participants enhanced access to funding so they can obtain affordable, high-speed broadband services and equipment to connect students and library patrons with online learning opportunities.

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