We, the undersigned groups, write to emphasize the dire need for Congress to pass 6 billion dollars in supplemental funding to sustain the Affordable Connectivity Program (“ACP”) through the end of 2024. As of October 25, 2023, the Biden-Harris Administration requested Congress to appropriate emergency funding for critical domestic issues, including $6 billion earmarked for ACP to ensure eligible households across the country remain connected online. We strongly urge Congress to prioritize this funding request before the government shuts down as the current ACP fund is expected to deplete in 2024 — depriving over 21 million households of vital internet services in the ever-changing digital age. Without the additional $6 billion, millions of Americans reliant on ACP will lose access to high-speed internet, a fundamental civil right in the 21st century. In an evolving digital ecosystem, low-income and marginalized households in all districts cannot afford this risk. It is imperative and urgent for Congress to take action now to secure ACP funding for 2024 and continue to strategize long-term solutions that establish equitable access to broadband services for all. Pass the $6 billion for ACP today to ensure millions of families do not lose access to the internet. 

As required by the Presidential Memorandum titled Modernizing United States Spectrum Policy and Establishing a National Spectrum Strategy, the Secretary of Commerce, through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), prepared this National Spectrum Strategy to both promote private-sector innovation and further the missions of federal departments and agencies, submitting it to the President through the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, and the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. To ensure our country remains the global leader in advanced wireless technologies, the U.S. government has adopted a bold vision for spectrum policy by:

• Identifying a strong pipeline of spectrum to study for private sector use, including the lower 3 GHz and the 7-8 GHz bands. 
• Improving coordination on spectrum decision-making both within the government and between the private sector and the public sector.
• Focusing on advanced technology, including the development of a dynamic spectrum sharing capability, that could help make even crowded bands available for more intensive use.
• Growing the spectrum ecosystem workforce through the development of a National Spectrum Workforce Plan.

From November 1 to December 2, 2023, all Maryland residents are encouraged and invited to read the State’s draft Digital Equity Plan​ to share their feedback and recommendations. Maryland’s Digital Equity Plan will serve as the state roadmap to achieve digital equity over the next five years. The Office of Statewide Broadband will incorporate feedback received from the public during the open comment period, and will publish the final plan afterwards.  

Palisade Infrastructure has successfully concluded the acquisition of Mashell, the parent company of Rainier Connect. Ranier Connect, a fiber and hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) broadband provider in Washington State, will now operate under Palisade’s new Lightcurve brand. The rebranding represents the “beginning of significant investments in the fiber optic internet infrastructure.” The infrastructure investment company originally announced its plans to acquire Rainier Connect in December 2022. Lightcurve currently serves Tacoma, Eatonville, Centralia, Chehalis and Graham in Washington. Over the coming months, Palisade will make upgrades to the current network and invest in expansion to new markets across several counties in the state including Pierce, King, Lewis, Snohomish and Thurston. The deal is a first step in the creation of a “regional platform for fiber and high-speed broadband connectivity," said Mike Reynolds, Palisade’s managing director, Americas. He added, "There’s a huge hole in the rural and under-resourced communities that needs to be filled with broadband, and we are committed to closing the digital divide."