The Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA) sent a letter to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) raising concerns that multiple states will fail to reach all unserved locations by funding fiber over other technologies. The concern comes as the NTIA is working on approving initial proposals for how each state and territory will conduct its Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) grant program. As WISPA raises in its letter, several states have indicated in those proposals that "a planned over-reliance on funding fiber infrastructure is likely to exhaust BEAD funds before all unserved and underserved locations are connected." Among the states of concern, WISPA references proposals from Maryland, California, Minnesota, New York and North Carolina that suggest their allotted BEAD funds may not be able to cover 100 percent of their unserved and/or underserved locations with fiber. In addition to concerns from WISPA, another trade group – ACA Connects, which represents small and independent cable providers – released data showing that 6.4 million unserved and underserved locations are expected to be eligible for BEAD funding, for which there are enough funds to connect "at least 71 percent of eligible locations" with fiber.

In separate conversations with the leaders of two internet service providers, both mentioned that the wind down of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is at the top of their things-that-keep-me-up-at-night list. Despite the stereotypical caricature of CEOs, these leaders were sincerely concerned and grappling with how to tell customers. This got me thinking about the true cost and fall out from the termination of the ACP. Many families will have to make the difficult decision to keep or end service. As for businesses, notifying customers, implementing changes in the billing process, and terminating services incur expenses in terms of money, staffing, and time. Then there is the cost to the government. I would imagine the Federal Communications Commission could calculate the amount of resources and staff time it will take to halt the program. These costs, typically borne by the taxpayer or rate payer, are often overlooked. With these costs in mind, the logic of reauthorizing and funding the ACP is apparent from both a common sense and economic standpoint. The call to action is clear: securing the ACP's continuity and stability now is a prudent and forward-thinking choice.

On Dec 12, 2023, Sen Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel requesting input on proposals to modify the contribution base for the Universal Service Fund (USF). Specifically, he requested information about potential impacts of three mechanisms to reform the USF contribution system: (1) expanding the contribution base to assess broadband revenues; (2) expanding the contribution base to include edge providers; and (3) expanding the contribution base to include digital advertising. As Congress considers much-needed updates to the programs funded by the USF, "we must ensure that the Fund has a sustainable funding model to address our ongoing and future needs.," Sen Luján wrote. On Jan 12, Chairwoman Rosenworcel replied noting that since Congress last directed the FCC  to establish the current contribution framework in 1996, "there have been revolutionary changes in how we communicate, with the need for a broadband connection eclipsing the home telephone as need-to-have service." She agreed that "any reform to the contribution system must result in a sustainable funding model and also fully consider the current telecommunications marketplace and the potential cost burdens on consumers." 

• The FCC  anticipates that expanding the type of revenues used to fund USF to include revenues from mass market broadband providers, in addition to the revenues from the current telecommunications contributors, is estimated to expand the contributions base to $250 billion, an increase of an additional $220 billion in revenue above the current base of approximately $33 billion.  As a result, the Commission estimates the contribution factor would drop substantially, to approximately 3.3 percent, assuming the current size of all USF programs.  For reference, the contribution factor in the first quarter of 2024 is 34.6 percent.  This change, however, would actually lead to an increase in the monthly broadband bills paid by the average household. In fact, it would double the typical payment from an average USF line item of around $2.00 on consumer telephone bills to a combined total of approximately $4.00 on monthly broadband and telephone bills.
• Expanding the contribution base to include edge providers would require congressional action authorizing the FCC to assess edge providers for USF purposes. This approach would expand the the contribution base by approximately $2.3 trillion on top of the current base of approximately $33 billion. But consumers could potentially face rising costs for certain edge services, particularly those that directly bill consumers. 
• Expanding the contribution base to include digital advertising would expand the contribution base to approximately $250 billion. This would result in a contribution factor of approximately 3.3 percent, assuming current USF demand.  Unlike the expansion focused on broadband revenues, the FCC anticipates that assessing digital advertising revenue would lead to a decrease in USF fees on monthly household telephone bills to approximately $0.30 (30 cents), because data indicates that an assessment on digital advertising is less likely to be passed on to consumers. 

Broadband internet access is central to our society and economy. Tens of billions of dollars are now being allocated for construction of new last mile connections. But these construction grants and subscription subsidies may not always be informed by up-to-date information concerning the technical capabilities of various last mile network technologies. Indeed, while some stakeholders may believe there is only one best network technology - fiber to the premises via passive optical networking - there is actually no one single best last mile technology, given the varied climate, terrain, time needs, and budgets for broadband construction and subsidization. The report covers in detail Hybrid Fiber Coaxial networks, Digital Subscriber Line, Fiber to the Premises, Licensed and Unlicensed Fixed Wireless Access, Mobile, Low Earth Orbit Satellite, and Wi-Fi. Home network technology is also briefly explored, since the home network is such a significant factor affecting end user performance. Bottom line: there is not one “best” technology—as factors like mobility, terrain, installed base, population density, local regulation, time needs, available construction labor and materials, cost, and so on mean that the answer is “it depends”.

The state of Oklahoma has tentatively announced $374 million in broadband funding awards to AT&T, Cox and 29 smaller providers. Funding came through the federal American Rescue Plan Act State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. Awardees will contribute an additional $90 million to project costs. More than 55,000 locations are expected to get high-speed service. As with many other state broadband funding programs, competition was intense. Applicants requested a total of more than $5.1 billion in funding. Awards were made through the Oklahoma Broadband Office. Cox is slated to take home $84.7 million for 14 awards. AT&T is slated to take home $22.5 million for 10 awards. Other companies winning large amounts of funding include Pine Telephone Company, which is slated to take home $22.5 million for a single award, and Chisholm Broadband, which is slated to receive $21.8 million for 10 awards.

The Federal Communications Commission adopted updates to its rules for the 70, 80, and 90 GHz spectrum bands to facilitate broadband access on ships and aircrafts, in addition to backhaul service for 5G.  This action will promote the efficient use of spectrum and will provide opportunities for the development of new broadband service options. The Report and Order establishes new rules and updates existing rules for the 7176 GHz, 81–86 GHz, 92–94 GHz, and 94.1–95 GHz bands.  The new rules authorize certain point-to-point links to endpoints in motion in the 70 GHz and 80 GHz bands to facilitate the use of these frequencies for access to broadband services on aircraft and ships.  They also permit the use of smaller and lower-cost antennas to facilitate the provision of backhaul service in the 70 GHz and 80 GHz bands.  Finally, the Report and Order changes the link registration process in the 70/80/90 GHz bands to require certification of construction of registered links, which will promote more efficient use of this spectrum and improve the accuracy of the link registration database.  The FCC also adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to seek comment on the addition of another type of link as part of maritime operations otherwise authorized in the Report and Order, and the inclusion of Fixed Satellite Service earth stations in the light-licensing regime for the 70 GHz and 80 GHz bands.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) appoints the Commissioners Nathan Simington and Anna Gomez to serve on the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service (Universal Service Joint Board) and the Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations (Separations Joint Board). In addition, Commissioners Simington and Gomez are members of the Federal-State Joint Conference on Advanced Services (Advanced Services Joint Conference) by virtue of their positions on the FCC. Commissioner Gomez shall further serve as the federal chair of the Universal Service Joint Board and the Advanced Services Joint Conference. Commissioner Geoffrey Starks shall further serve as the federal chair of the Separations Joint Board. Their terms shall begin immediately.