Reporting

The fate of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) hangs in the balance. Amid warnings that the internet subsidy program will shut down this spring without additional funds, Congress proposed legislation that would allocate another $7 billion to the ACP pool. But chances of the bill becoming law is “significantly below 50%,” said New Street Research’s Blair Levin. The $7 billion allotment is slightly higher than the $6 billion figure the Federal Communications Commission requested, saying it would extend ACP benefits through the end of the year.

After closing on his re-merger of Dish Network and EchoStar, Chairman Charlie Ergen outlined a series of strategic asset shifts that shield certain spectrum assets, as well as the cash generated by about three million Dish pay-TV subscribers, from existing creditors. The moves “further unlock incremental strategic, financial and operating flexibility for its business following completion of its merger” with Dish Network.

Engineering work has begun on a fiber-optic network expansion planned for Springettesbury Township (PA), which will bring a future-proof fiber-optic network to over 7,500 homes and businesses in the community. Glo Fiber, which provides fiber-to-the-home broadband service, utilizes a 9,300-mile network owned and operated by Shentel, also known as the Shenandoah Telecommunications Company. Mark Hodgkinson, the manager of Springettsbury Township, said the township welcomes GloFiber’s services to the community. 

“The Affordable Connectivity Program has helped close the digital divide by connecting over 25,000 Vermont households to lower-cost internet—an essential for working, learning, and staying connected to our communities. Access to high-speed internet isn’t a luxury anymore, it’s a necessity.

Archtop Fiber, a 2022-founded startup focused on rebuilding broadband providers with all-fiber networks in underserved markets, completed its third acquisition in five months, buying Warwick Valley Telephone with plans to upgrade its network operating in New York's Orange County, the Mid-Hudson Valley and northwestern New Jersey. Archtop is rebranding the latest acquisition as WVT Fiber and is “over-lashing fiber onto WVT’s existing lines and making preparations to power up its state-of-the-art XGS-PON network,” the company said.

The first customers in Spring Garden Township (PA) a rural community in York County, are now enjoying access to 100 percent fiber-optic broadband thanks to efforts from Glo Fiber and Shentel. As construction on the network continues, Glo Fiber said residents and businesses will receive advanced notice via mail of their pending internet access options, according to a recent announcement from the company.

Texas’ Broadband Development Office Director Greg Conte explains why $3.3 billion in Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) funding might not be as appealing as it sounds. “Receiving $3.3 billion is great, but with that comes a lot of responsibility, said Conte. “There’s a lot of attention on Texas as we have a significant amount of unserved and under-served homes, businesses, community anchor institutions.

There’s not much new in T-Mobile’s latest report to the Federal Communications Commission on the progress it’s made since its merger with Sprint. The report, submitted on January 2, centers on the network milestones that T-Mobile has accomplished with respect to its 3-year commitments for nationwide 5G deployment, which includes low-band and mid-band 5G coverage, 5G sites, download speeds and more.

NOVOS FiBER publicized itself with an announcement that Arlington (TX)will soon have a new broadband provider. NOVOS FiBER was founded in 2022, funded by InLight Capital, a private investment firm based in Sugar Land (TX). NOVOS Fiber is entering both the retail and wholesale markets and plans to serve a “significant number” of homes over the next two years. First focusing on Texas, NOVOS will eventually expand beyond state lines. Founder and CEO Andrew Snead said he and the company have a strong conviction to go against the grain of the “internet service is primarily a utility” mentality.

Jessica Rosenworcel is the boss—chair of the Federal Communications Commission, the 1,600-employee agency that has oversight of how the country communicates, from FM radio to broadcast television to the wires that make up the U.S.’s internet infrastructure.