1. Monthly archive
  2. February 2024

February 2024

The Vital Mission of Ensuring Affordable Connectivity Everywhere

With over 23 million households relying on the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to financially support their connection to…well, everything…it is jarring to think the program may soon no longer exist. Losing this broadband subsidy program will force families to make hard choices and will likely lead to many losing connectivity altogether.  With the value of a network based upon its ability to connect everyone, this is not a good result for our country. Worse yet, a lack of ACP fu

Consumer groups seek unlocked phone condition as part of T-Mobile/Mint deal

Consumer advocates want the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to impose a phone unlocking condition on T-Mobile’s proposed acquisition of Mint Mobile, the operator made famous by part owner Ryan Reynolds. T-Mobile struck an agreement in 2023 with Ka’ena Corporation to acquire Mint Mobile and its affiliate brands, Ultra Mobile and Plum, for up to $1.35 billion.

Open Vault Broadband Insights Report

Average broadband data consumption easily eclipsed a new milestone in 2023, ending the year above 600 GB per month and setting the stage for average monthly usage to reach or exceed 700 GB by the end of 2024, according to the 4Q23 edition of the OpenVault Broadband Insights (OVBI) report. Key findings from the report include:

NTIA: 2024 will be ‘year of execution’ for BEAD

2023 set the stage for the $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, as the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced how much funding each state would get and states began drafting their initial proposals. According to Sarah Morris, NTIA’s principal deputy assistant secretary and deputy administrator, 2024 will be “the year of execution” for BEAD.

T-Mobile now offers fiber broadband in 13 markets

T-Mobile is making steady progress with its initiative to offer fiber internet service. It’s now selling fiber service in 13 markets, according to the “availability” tab on its T-Fiber website. The wireless carrier seems to prefer working with providers who build open-access networks. These networks are deployed by one company and then leased to multiple internet service providers, which can then offer broadband service to end customers. In its 13 markets, the company is working with:

FCC Makes AI-Generated Voices in Robocalls Illegal

The Federal Communications Commission announced the unanimous adoption of a Declaratory Ruling that recognizes calls made with AI-generated voices are “artificial” under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). The ruling, which takes effect immediately, makes voice cloning technology used in common robocall scams targeting consumers illegal.

In Big Tech’s backyard, California lawmaker unveils landmark AI bill

A California lawmaker introduced a bill aiming to force companies to test the most powerful artificial intelligence models before releasing them—a landmark proposal that could inspire regulation around the country as state legislatures increasingly take up the swiftly evolving technology. The new bill, sponsored by Sen Scott Wiener (D-CA), who represents San Francisco, would require companies training new AI models to test their tools for “unsafe” behavior, institute hacking protections and develop the tech in such a way that it can be shut down completely.

Everyone loses if the Affordable Connectivity Program ends

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) was established to address one of the contributing factors to the US digital divide—monthly affordability of services. The initial $14 billion that once sounded like a generous investment toward these concerns is now expected to run out. After a year of predictions that high enrollments would lead to this moment, Congress has finally started to take notice.

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