Public Notice

The US Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is requesting public comment on a wide range of policy and program considerations associated with new broadband grant programs authorized and funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program, the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program, and the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program.

In November 2021, the Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau sought comment on a range of issues related to modifications and changes in transitioning the EBB Program to the Affordable Connectivity Program established by Congress in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. To create a record that would allow the FCC to promulgate rules by the statutory deadline of January 14, 2022, and consistent with congressional directive, the Bureau established a “permit-but-disclose” proceeding with comments due December 8, 2021, and reply comments due December 28, 2021.

The US Department of the Treasury issued the Final Rule for the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program, enacted as a part of the American Rescue Plan, which delivers $350 billion to state, local, and Tribal governments to support their response to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau addressed seven requests for waivers of the $400 maximum reasonable support amount for connected devices reimbursed through the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program. The bureau found five of the petitioners demonstrated special circumstances that justify a waiver of the $400 support amount cap for connected devices. The bureau denied the remaining two requests, finding the petitioners failed to present special circumstances to justify a waiver.

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) requests input from community health stakeholders, technology developers, and other interested parties about how digital health technologies are used, or could be used in the future, to transform community health, individual wellness, and health equity.

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau offers clarity on the rules that will govern the Affordable Connectivity Program before new rules are in effect.

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel hereby appoints seven members to the Board of Directors of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). The term for the representative for commercial mobile radio service providers will end on December 31, 2022. All other positions are for a three-year term beginning on January 1, 2022. Chairwoman Rosenworcel appoints the following individuals to the USAC Board of Directors:

Service providers who plan to participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) could submit

The Federal Communications Commission has initiated a proceeding seeking comment on issues related to the future of the Universal Service Fund in light of the broadband investments in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Infrastructure Act includes the largest ever federal investment in broadband, totaling approximately $65 billion.

The Federal Communications Commission authorizes Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (Auction 904) support for 2,008 winning bids. For each of the bids, the FCC has reviewed the long-form application information, including the letter(s) of credit and Bankruptcy Code opinion letter(s) from the long-form applicant’s legal counsel.