Nicole Ferraro

USF framework 'more likely than not' to be upheld, says Blair Levin

The Supreme Court held oral arguments in Federal Communications Commission v. Consumers' Research, a case challenging the legality of the Universal Service Fund framework.

Groups beg Senate not to rip Wi-Fi hotspots from students, library patrons

Over 30 organizations have signed a letter urging US senators to vote against a resolution that would overturn a Federal Communications Commission decision to allow E-Rate funding to be used for Wi-Fi hotspots for students, school staff and library patrons.

How the end of the Affordable Connectivity Program is hurting low-income Americans

This episode of The Divide features a conversation with Danielle Perry, chief compliance officer at TruConnect, and a board member at the National Lifeline Association (NaLA), where she also chairs NaLA's regulatory and government affairs committee.

Federal funding freeze creates 'considerable uncertainty' for BEAD

The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has rescinded a memorandum that would have put a pause on all federal grant funds, creating significant confusion.

2024 in review: RIP ACP and WTF USF

As we close out 2024, one question hanging over next year is what will come of federal broadband funding for high-cost and low-income programs?

2025 preview: Make way for more fiber M&A

The fiber broadband market is likely headed for more consolidation in the coming year, according to research from consulting firm AlixPartners. In a survey conducted in August 2024, AlixPartners found there are over 400 small fiber providers that are likely to merge or be acquired by larger providers and private equity firms.

How ACP's lapse is impacting state broadband plans

Light Reading's Nicole Ferraro and Jake Varn, associate manager with Pew's Broadband Access Initiative, discuss how the lapse of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) in May is now impacting states' plans t

FCC approves more 'rip-and-replace' extensions due to supply chain

The Federal Communications Commission approved additional requests from five service providers for extensions to complete the process of ripping and replacing network gear from Huawei and ZTE.

ACP funding sees progress in the Senate but still unlikely to pass

Hopes came alive again in Congress that the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which lapsed in June, could actually get funded. First, a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced a House bill on July 30, matching the language of a Senate bill that would extend the ACP with $6 billion and modify the program. On July 31, Democrats in the Senate Commerce Committee voted to advance an earlier bill – the ACP Extension Act – by attaching it as an amendment to the Plan for Broadband Act, legislation that would direct the NTIA to create a coordinated federal broadband strategy. Sen.