Thursday, October 3, 2024
Headlines Daily Digest
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FCC and U.S. Department of Education Release Cybersecurity Resource Guide
FCC Announces Discounted Phone and Broadband Service Support for Hurricane Helene Survivors
Beyond connectivity: The role of broadband in rural economic growth and resilience
Broadband Infrastructure
Broadband Funding
State and Local
Emergency Communications
Wireless/Spectrum
Security
Devices
Policymakers
Company News
Broadband Infrastructure
Broadband access is increasingly recognized as essential infrastructure in today’s economy, with the ability to connect residents and businesses to economic opportunities nationwide, even in remote rural areas. However, rural America has lagged behind metropolitan areas in broadband investment, exacerbating economic disparities between rural and nonrural America. The lack of connectivity has hindered rural communities’ ability to participate in the 21st-century digital economy, especially with the rise of the knowledge economy. But broadband access may have the most significant potential impact on rural areas in accessing economic opportunities. While recent initiatives have expanded rural broadband access, it can become a transformative tool for rural economic development and resilience only when it is widely utilized and effectively leveraged. The findings reveal higher broadband utilization (higher broadband adoption rates and a higher prevalence of small broadband service providers) improves the economic dynamism of rural areas.
When will the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) money start flowing? Most states have had their Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 processes approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), according to NTIA’s Progress Dashboard. Vol. 1 is focused on the mapping challenge process, and Vol. 2 consists of the remainder of the state’s BEAD implementation plan. Yet, the wait continues. Jade Piros de Carvalho, VP of Broadband Advocacy and Partnerships at Bonfire said "I think the majority of this funding will hit the streets in 2026;." The fact that the goal posts seem to keep moving further away is disappointing to many who are anxious for BEAD to start awarding subgrantees. But NTIA says it is moving as fast as it can.
State and Local
Washington State Broadband Equity Assistive Technology Notice of Funding Opportunity
The Washington State Department of Commerce released a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Broadband Equity Assistive Technology program. The Department of Commerce is soliciting proposals from qualified entities to distribute assistive technology and digital literacy skills training to individuals with disabilities. The goal of this project is to promote equal access to technology and digital inclusion to online education, employment, and community life for individuals with disabilities. Proposals are due November 12 by 5pm PST.
Emergency Communications
FCC Announces Discounted Phone and Broadband Service Support for Hurricane Helene Survivors
Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced the agency took quick action to assist people impacted by Hurricane Helene by providing discounted phone and broadband service through its Lifeline program. The agency voted to temporarily waive certain Lifeline program eligibility rules to ensure that consumers receiving federal disaster assistance can easily apply for and enroll in the Lifeline program. Households are also eligible for the Lifeline program if they receive emergency food assistance from the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) in the areas affected by Hurricane Helene.
The Adaptive Network Planner—announced by Federated Wireless—aims to help fixed wireless access (FWA) and private networks efficiently and effectively leverage Citizens Band Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum for Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) projects. Federated Wireless says that the CBRS is better suited for BEAD deployments than 5 GHz, 6 GHz or satellite approaches. However, its use requires advanced dynamic planning and related capabilities. Federated Wireless attempts to provide them with the ANP. The ANP provides live RF channel planning and coverage analysis using real-time shared spectrum data. The data is enhanced by AI-powered propagation modeling.
The Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Education, with input from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, released a resource guide to help schools and libraries evaluate their cybersecurity risks and identify the most impactful cybersecurity solutions. The guide can also help schools and libraries as they complete applications for the FCC’s Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program and serve broadly as a resource for schools and libraries as they take steps to better protect their networks. The joint resource guide provides cybersecurity guidance and recommended resources to help schools and libraries keep their broadband networks secure.
Benton (www.benton.org) provides the only free, reliable, and non-partisan daily digest that curates and distributes news related to universal broadband, while connecting communications, democracy, and public interest issues. Posted Monday through Friday, this service provides updates on important industry developments, policy issues, and other related news events. While the summaries are factually accurate, their sometimes informal tone may not always represent the tone of the original articles. Headlines are compiled by Kevin Taglang (headlines AT benton DOT org), Grace Tepper (grace AT benton DOT org), and Zoe Walker (zwalker AT benton DOT org) — we welcome your comments.
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Kevin Taglang
Executive Editor, Communications-related Headlines
Benton Institute
for Broadband & Society
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