As the Federal Communications Commission continues taking steps to sustain and spur growth within the white space ecosystem, we adopt three orders addressing pending issues associated with white space devices. These actions will provide additional certainty to white space device users and manufacturers to enable unlicensed white space devices to operate efficiently while protecting other spectrum users. In the Report and Order we adopt rules specifying the database re-check interval for the new categories of mobile and narrowband white space devices established in 2020. In the Order on Reconsideration, we dismiss in part and, on alternative and independent grounds, deny a petition for reconsideration of two rule changes for white space devices operating in the broadcast television (TV) bands. In the Memorandum Opinion and Order, we decline to modify the rules to permit white space databases to use more complex terrain-based models to determine the available frequencies for white space devices and will instead continue to rely on the simpler established model that has worked reliably to prevent interference to TV and other protected services.

In 2022, in recognition of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, I wrote to share my thoughts on the importance of the dedicated professionals who respond to calls to our nationwide emergency number—911. This year, as we mark National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, I am again writing to reiterate my support for the reclassification of public safety telecommunicators as first responders. As I noted last year, 911 operators are among our most essential first responders. Today’s 911 professionals do far more than answer 911 calls to set an emergency response in motion or passively receive information. They provide assistance, guidance, and life-saving advice to 911 callers, and they actively plan, coordinate, and direct the response activities of emergency personnel. In recent years, many states have recognized the vital first responder role played by public safety telecommunicators. I believe the federal government should do the same in its next update of the Standard Occupational Classification system, which still classifies these professionals as performing an “Office and Administrative Support Occupation.”

The Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund will invest $1.5 billion in the development of open and interoperable networks. By demonstrating the viability of new, open-architecture approaches to wireless networks, this initial round of funding will help to ensure that the future of 5G and next-gen wireless technology is built by the US and its global allies and partners—not vendors from nations that threaten our national security. In line with feedback received through these processes, this  Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) aims to expand and improve testing to demonstrate the viability of new approaches to wireless like open radio access networks (Open RAN), and remove barriers to adoption. The NTIA anticipates it will award up to $140.5 million during this first tranche of grants. The first round of awards will provide for a range of R&D and testing activities in this critical field, including: 

• Expanding industry-accepted testing and evaluation (T&E) activities to assess and facilitate the interoperability, performance, and/or security of open and interoperable, standards-based 5G radio access networks; and 
• Developing new or improved testing methodologies to test, evaluate, and validate the interoperability, performance, and/or security of these networks, including their component parts. 

Applications are due on June 2nd, 2023. NTIA will begin to award the first grants in August 2023 

Getting access to broadband services remains a challenge for many residents of affordable rental housing. Though these properties are often in areas that have high-speed internet service, physical access and cost may keep households offline. Recognizing these challenges, several states have directed funding toward programs focused on expanding broadband access in affordable rental housing. Pandemic relief funds are another tool states are using to improve broadband access in low-income neighborhoods and affordable rental housing. Several states have also allocated a portion of their Capital Projects Fund (CPF) dollars, a $10 billion fund created through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that may be used for broadband, toward improving connectivity for low-income households living in multifamily buildings. The efforts underway in these states will be critical to better understanding different models for connecting low-income multifamily properties, as well as how factors such as property age and type, resident demographics, and geography inform solutions. Analyzing how well these initiatives succeed can help inform states and communities in their efforts to bridge the digital divide, including as they consider how best to allocate funds from the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program and Digital Equity Act available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) enacted in late 2021.

[Kelly Wert works on internet access in vulnerable communities for The Pew Charitable Trusts’ broadband access initiative.]

Consolidated Communications will bring Fidium fiber internet to 22,000 rural Maine homes and businesses as part of the Connect Maine Partnership, supported by a $18.3 million grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). This project will bolster Consolidated’s ongoing work to build fiber-to-the-premises broadband networks to more than 70% of the Company’s service area by 2025. With this additional funding and a company investment of $5.5 million, Consolidated will deliver gigabit fiber internet to more than 22,000 homes and businesses on Blue Hill Peninsula, the Rangeley area, and the town of Farmington. The ConnectMaine project’s network construction is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2022. Elsewhere in the state, Consolidated is already building fiber networks in Bangor, Portland, and Rockland as the Company works to deliver reliable, high-speed internet to more than 450,000 homes and businesses in Maine by 2025.  

Kansas City's Digital Equity Office is proud to receive the Missouri Office of Broadband Development's Digital Demonstration Project Grant for $25,000. Kansas City's Digital Equity Office will utilize this grant money to promote participation in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The Digital Equity Office will partner with Essential Families, a not-for-profit community-based organization, to help enroll eligible Kansas City residents into the ACP. This money will specifically go toward the city's outreach efforts, including:

• Media and social media campaigns for the Affordable Connectivity Program,
• Hosting events to enroll eligible participants into the program,
• Door-knocking and other in-person campaigns to educate and enroll residents,
• Production and distribution of materials to promote the program.