On May 9, 2024, Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) introduced new legislation to strengthen the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), complete the equipment removal of China-based telecommunications companies, Huawei and ZTE, and allow the Federal Communications Commission to auction certain spectrum licenses to create more responsive networks for consumers. The bill would:
If all goes well, the $42.5 billion in BEAD funding that Congress allotted in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act should be enough to extend broadband coverage across the country. But it will depend on how states and territories use the money. The first half of 2024 is a critical juncture as states solicit feedback and approval of their Initial Proposals from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which administers the BEAD program.
T-Mobile acquired a boatload of 2.5 GHz spectrum when it acquired Sprint in 2020, and it paid $304 million to win the lion’s share of licenses in the Federal Communications Commission’s Auction 108. Now it’s involved in a spectrum swap with SoniqWave Network to get even more 2.5 GHz spectrum.
Billions of dollars are allocated for last mile service to rural America. An estimated 42 million Americans will for the first time in their lives have access to high-speed internet. The importance of creating middle mile architecture capable of supporting this new capacity and services cannot be overstated. This webinar will discuss the need for rural middle mile infrastructure and the perils of not having it when millions of new last mile services are deployed.
Zayo Group’s North American and European businesses are breaking up. But rest assured, the separation is nothing if not amicable. The company announced plans to make Zayo Europe, which operates a long-haul fiber network across eight countries, a standalone company.
The National Digital Inclusion Alliance has warned policymakers about digital redlining, a discriminatory practice that prevents certain populations from having internet access, since 2017. Thanks in part to these warnings and advocacy efforts, the creation of digital discrimination rules was mandated in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
June 11th, 12 pm - 1pm ET
The last webinar will focus on the challenges of and strategies for building the physical infrastructure and launching services. Panelists will discuss how they manage complex operations while also adapting to changing conditions, all in view of a community invested in their broadband.
We will announce additional speakers and community representatives in the coming weeks. Please be sure to RSVP.
The second webinar will be focused on the possible structures for public broadband networks, from government entities to cooperatives. The panelists will discuss how communities determine which model is appropriate for them as they pursue and evaluate the partnerships they need for success.
Bill will be joined by
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