Linking Alabama to Broadband With a Digital Equity Capacity Grant
Tuesday, February 4, 2025
February 2025
Analysis
Analysis
Digital Connect Makes Digital Navigation Approachable
Digital Connect (DCI) is an initiative of a Tribal-owned internet service provider (ISP) that offers a full complement of digital inclusion services to Tribal members and residents of the Gila River Indian Reservation, including individualized digital navigation, digital skills training, device distribution, and, more recently, digital equity research.
Wireless Product Complexities and Evolving Customer Expectations Lead to Drop in Customer Care Satisfaction, J.D. Power Finds
Overall wireless customer care satisfaction has decreased for the first time in two years, according to the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Wireless Customer Care Study. Highlights from the study include:
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T-Mobile ranks highest in the mobile network operators segment for a 15th consecutive volume, with a score of 837. The segment average is 819.
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Spectrum Mobile ranks highest in the full-service mobile virtual network operators segment with a score of 845. Metro by T-Mobile (836) ranks second and Cricket (832) ranks third.
BEAD’s Groundhog Day Moment
According to Albert Einstein, insanity is “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.” Congress is taking this to a whole new level with its latest discussions about how to “fix” broadband internet deployment across the United States. The most vociferous criticisms of the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program have centered on how long it has taken to deploy. On its face, that is a fair criticism. Contextualized, however, the criticism does not hold water. No one is asking why it took so long. The simple answer: Maps.
National Verifier Annual Report and Data
This annual report provides a summary of the National Verifier and its functionality, and it outlines how the National Verifier meets the Federal Communications Commission's key objectives: to protect against waste, fraud, and abuse; to lower costs to the Universal Service Fund (Fund) and service providers through administrative efficiencies; and to better serve eligible beneficiaries by facilitating choice and improving the enrollment experience. This report also provides an update on the use and performance of the National Verifier, including a discussion of system enhancements.
Prospects for lower 3 GHz look better than ever for 5G
What’s the likelihood of the wireless industry getting a piece of the lower 3 GHz band, currently occupied by the Department of Defense (DoD)? The prospects look a lot better since President Donald Trump took residence at the White House, as well as Sen Ted Cruz seizing (R-TX) control as chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. Wireless industry evangelists are downright giddy over the prospects of lower 3 GHz spectrum being made available for wireless operators.
Federal Universal Service Support Mechanisms Fund Size Projections for Second Quarter 2025
For the Second Quarter of 2025 (2Q2025), the Federal Communications Commission's High Cost Support Mechanism funding requirements are projected as follows: $51.81 million for High Cost Loop (HCL) support, $253.11 million for Connect America Fund Broadband Loop Support (CAF BLS), $2.81 million for frozen Price Cap Carrier Support, $6.40 million for CAF Phase II, $36.60 million for CAF Phase II Auction, $88.36 million for frozen Competitive Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (CETC) Support, $84.32 million for CAF/ICC Support, $41.70 million for Alaska Plan Support, $43.57 mi
Op-ed
Op-ed
BEAD’s Groundhog Day Moment
Monday, February 3, 2025
Analysis
Analysis
Digital Connect Makes Digital Navigation Approachable
Monday, February 3, 2025