Representative Yvette Clarke (D-NY) hinted that she will introduce new legislation before the end of 2023 to address a significant funding gap for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP, which offers free or discounted high-speed internet to qualifying households, is expected to run out of money in April of 2024. Clarke and several other representatives addressed that issue at a House Energy & Commerce Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Oversight Hearing. “I plan to fight hard to make sure Congress provides the Commission with the administration's full funding request for the ACP,” said Clarke, referring to the Biden administration’s recent request for $6 billion from Congress to ensure the continuation of the ACP. “And to that end, I look forward to introducing legislation on that very subject before Congress concludes its work for the year.”

The Federal Communications Commission's Broadband Data Task Force, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, the Wireline Competition Bureau, and the Office of Economics and Analytics responded to a Petition for Extension of Waiver filed by the Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) and USTelecom – The Broadband Association (USTelecom). The Petitioners request that the FCC renew the 2022 Waiver that temporarily waived the Commission’s requirement that the accuracy of a provider’s biannual Broadband Data Collection (BDC) filings be certified by a Professional Engineer (PE), subject to the condition that such filings be certified by an otherwise-qualified engineer who does not have the PE credential. The FCC grants the Petition to extend the limited waiver of the Commission’s rule for three filing periods (data as of December 31, 2023, June 30, 2024, and December 31, 2024), subject to certain conditions. Any provider availing itself of this waiver must: have its BDC submission certified by an engineering professional with the qualifications specified in the 2022 Waiver; preserve, for the applicable “as-of” filing date(s), certain categories of underlying network information for each submission filed under the waiver; and upon request, expeditiously provide this network information to the FCC.

The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) announced that two Illinois Probation Departments/County Court Services Departments were each awarded a $5,000 grant from the Foundation for Rural Services-Community Service Grants Program. The Foundation for Rural Services (FRS) is a nonprofit organization that works with the National Telephone Cooperative Association (NTCA) Rural Broadband Association to sustain and enhance the quality of life in rural America. Effingham County Probation Department’s ‘Discovery to Recovery Outpatient Substance Abuse Program’ will “provide new equipment to program participants, expand digital inclusion programming, and enhance probation and treatment compliance by expanding telehealth alternatives.” A smart board will be purchased for the Discovery to Recovery classroom. Woodford County Court Services will “bring broadband internet access to underserved probation clients and improve technology for probation officers who facilitate evidenced-based programs for their clients.” A computer lab for clients will be established in order for clients to access treatment, perform employment searches, and fulfill education or probation requirements. A smart board will be purchased for Woodford County Probation Officers to conduct evidenced-based programs for clients.

Representatives Andrea Salinas (D-OR) and Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) introduced the bipartisan Home-Based Telemental Health Care Act, legislation that would expand access to remote mental health and substance use services in rural America, especially for individuals working in the farming, fishing, and forestry industries. US Senators Mike Rounds (R-UT) and Tina Smith (D-MN) are leading a companion bill in the Senate. The Home-Based Telemental Health Care Act would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in coordination with the Rural Health Liaison of the Department of Agriculture, to award grants to entities to establish mental health and substance use services for rural Americans in their homes, particularly those working in farming, fishing, and forestry occupations. It would also authorize up to $10 million for each fiscal year through 2027 using current funds. The legislation is endorsed by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), NAMI Oregon, National Rural Health Association, American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, Oregon Council for Behavioral Health, Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, and Friends of Family Farmers.

Dish’s Boost Mobile wireless network now covers 89 markets, with a footprint of 140 million people. The company recently added 12 new markets: Billings, MT; Cincinnati, OH; Columbia, SC; Denver, CO; Philadelphia, PA, Fayetteville, NC; Jacksonville, FL; Minneapolis, MN; Portland, OR; Shreveport, LA, Tucson, AZ; and Washington, DC. Dish bought the Boost Mobile business, which at the time was prepaid only, from T-Mobile as a condition of T-Mobile’s acquisition of Sprint. The deal closed in 2020. Dish owns spectrum and is moving traffic onto that network as it is built. The company also has agreements with AT&T and T-Mobile to use their networks to support the service where Dish’s own network is not available. When Dish acquired the Boost Mobile business, the company committed to cover 70 percent of the U.S. population with 5G by 2023. In June 2023, Dish said that it had met that threshold.