Letter
Sen Rosen Leads Colleagues in Push to Secure Funding for Affordable Connectivity Program in Forthcoming Package
A group of 33 senators urged Senate leadership to include funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) as part of future must-pass legislation, including the next government funding package. We write to urge you to take immediate action to fund the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program. Both of these programs are vital for closing the digital divide, by making connectivity affordable to millions of working families and ensuring providers are able to continue serving rural communities.
![](https://www.benton.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/fcc_8.jpg?itok=OKVIpSw2)
Chairwoman Rosenworcel's Update to Members of Congress Regarding the Affordable Connectivity Program
On March 4, 2024, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel wrote to congressional leaders to update them on the status of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). In her letter, the Chairwoman highlighted the impact of the February 8 freeze on ACP enrollments. "This enrollment freeze was necessary to begin the process of winding down the program, but already its effects are being felt by households that wish to enroll and are unable to do so.
![](https://www.benton.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/commerce_logo_4.png?itok=46WVX5rN)
Challenges Industry Stakeholders Face with Broadband Deployment
The Department of Commerce's Inspector General asked industry stakeholders to identify challenges they are facing with broadband programmatic deployment to unserved and underserved locations.
![](https://www.benton.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/ntia_10.jpeg?itok=k4ZQXXjA)
NTIA Asks the FCC to Remove Norfolk “CPA” from the 3.45 GHz Coordination Rules
The Department of Defense (DoD) recommends a modification to the coordination rules for the 3450-3550 MHz (3.45 GHz) band. Specifically, DoD recommends deleting the Norfolk (VA) Cooperative Planning Area (CPA). The Newport News, VA, Cooperative Planning Area/Periodic Use Area (CPA/PUA) geographically encompasses the entire area of the Norfolk CPA. The larger Newport News CPA/PUA commands the requisite coordination to protect DoD missions operating in the band, to include episodic DoD operations. The DoD therefore deems the Norfolk CPA redundant and unnecessary.
Rep Spanberger Leads Virginia Lawmakers in Working to Protect $30 Internet Discount for Virginia Families, Fund Affordable Connectivity Program
In a letter to the House Committee on Appropriations, Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-7), Don Beyer (D-VA-08), Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11), Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), Bobby Scott (D-VA-03), and Jennifer Wexton (D-VA-10) called for the appropriators to prioritize extending Affordable Connectivity Program funding and expressed the critical need the program meets by connecting hundreds of thousands of Virginia households with affordable, high-speed internet.
Broadband experts, community groups & internet providers urge FCC to free up rural communities to receive broadband subsidies
A coalition of nearly 70 broadband experts, internet service providers (ISPs), community leaders, and nonprofits wrote to the Federal Communications Commission with a request to grant a limited amnesty designed to prevent the exclusion of America’s least connected rural communities from upcoming federal broadband subsidies. Under the rules of the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, communities that are already covered by grants awarded under programs like the Rural Digital Opportunities Fund (RDOF) and Connect America Fund II (CAF II) are not eligible to receive BEAD fund
![](https://www.benton.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/fcc_58.png?itok=d5qv93WI)
Chairwoman Rosenworcel’s Response to Members of Congress Regarding Starlink’s Application for the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund
On January 10, a group of lawmakers wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel to express concern about the FCC's decision to revoke SpaceX’s Starlink 2020 Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) award. In her February 6 response, Chairwoman Rosenworcel explained that RDOF featured a two-part application process, and that in the second phase of the process, winning bidders from the first phase were required to share technical and financial information with the FCC.
![](https://www.benton.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/color%20of%20change.png?itok=KJOFqwSX)
Color of Change Pens Letter to Biden-Harris Administration on Affordable Connectivity Program
Color Of Change is the nation’s largest online racial justice organization, representing millions of members nationwide. If your Administration does not take action to replenish funds for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), millions of families, including Black families, will lose access to affordable, high-speed internet along with all of its benefits. Broadband remains unaffordable for millions, including the 1 out of 5 Black people who do have home internet.
![](https://www.benton.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/fcc_45.png?itok=06o49SqK)
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel Highlights Affordable Connectivity Program Enrollment Freeze
I am writing to keep you updated regarding the status of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). I last wrote you on January 8, 2024 to explain that the remaining funding we have for the ACP—the largest and most successful broadband affordability program in our Nation’s history—is insufficient to support consumers who count on this program beyond April 2024. My January 8, 2024 letter stressed that more funding is needed to keep the ACP in place, and that absent additional funding, the FCC would need to take steps to start orderly wind-down procedures for the ACP.
![](https://www.benton.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/fcc_44.png?itok=WSgjW9u4)
Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel's Response to Senators Capito (R-WV) and Kennedy (R-LA) Regarding Pole Attachments
In late 2023, Sens Shelley Capito (R-WV) and John Kennedy (R-LA) wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel expressing concerns about the FCC's pole attachment proceedings. In January 2024, Chairwoman Rosenworcel responded, elaborating on what action the FCC has taken to improve the pole attachment process, including the establishment of the new Rapid Broadband Assessment Team.