BITAG: Overview of Broadband Technologies
Broadband internet access is central to our society and economy. Tens of billions of dollars are now being allocated for construction of new last mile connections.
January 2024
FCC Adopts Joint Boards Appointment Order
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) appoints the Commissioners Nathan Simington and Anna Gomez to serve on the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service (Universal Service Joint Board) and the Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations (Separations Joint Board). In addition, Commissioners Simington and Gomez are members of the Federal-State Joint Conference on Advanced Services (Advanced Services Joint Conference) by virtue of their positions on the FCC. Commissioner Gomez shall further serve as the federal chair of the Universal Service Joint Board and the Advance
NTCA Applauds Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act, Urges Inclusion of Broadband Grant Tax Treatment Act
Congress has recently committed tens of billions of dollars to broadband deployment, but taxing broadband grants dramatically reduces their impact.
AT&T, Cox, 29 Smaller Providers Slated to Share $374 Million In Oklahoma Broadband Funding
The state of Oklahoma has tentatively announced $374 million in broadband funding awards to AT&T, Cox and 29 smaller providers. Funding came through the federal American Rescue Plan Act State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. Awardees will contribute an additional $90 million to project costs. More than 55,000 locations are expected to get high-speed service. As with many other state broadband funding programs, competition was intense. Applicants requested a total of more than $5.1 billion in funding. Awards were made through the Oklahoma Broadband Office.
As the FCC Refines Broadband Map Challenge Process, It’s Pretty Much an Anti-Climax
It’s unfortunate that this couldn’t have happened sooner, but the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently released a public notice seeking input on the challenge process for the Broadband Data Collection that the commission undertakes twice yearly. Broadband providers are required to report on broadband availability, and the data ultimately is used to update the National Broadband Map.
Did Comcast Just Slip to Become the No. 2 U.S. Pay TV Operator? (Next TV)
Submitted by zwalker@benton.org on Fri, 01/26/2024 - 12:46Is Comcast Experiencing a Goldilocks Moment in Broadband?
Comcast lost 34,000 broadband customers across consumer and business channels in the fourth quarter and bled 64,000 subscribers for the full 2023, results that might have tanked the cable company's stock in previous quarters. But the company’s shares are up nearly 4 percent. Sure, good news from theme parks and streaming platform Peacock have a lot to do with that.
Affordable Connectivity Program: The true cost of winding down
In separate conversations with the leaders of two internet service providers, both mentioned that the wind down of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is at the top of their things-that-keep-me-up-at-night list. Despite the stereotypical caricature of CEOs, these leaders were sincerely concerned and grappling with how to tell customers. This got me thinking about the true cost and fall out from the termination of the ACP.
Wireless group raises new BEAD concerns
The Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA) sent a letter to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) raising concerns that multiple states will fail to reach all unserved locations by funding fiber over other technologies. The concern comes as the NTIA is working on approving initial proposals for how each state and territory will conduct its Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) grant program.