In comments filed with the Senate Working Group on the future of the Universal Service Fund (USF), many organizations underscored the issue of redundant government expenditure in their submissions, with a notable focus on whether the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) should be integrated into the USF framework. The USF includes four programs targeting different vulnerable portions of the broadband market: the Connect America Fund, Lifeline, Schools and Libraries (E-Rate) and Rural Health Care. Many organizations called for the FCC to consolidate ACP with the Lifeline program, the latter of which provides a $9.25 broadband subsidy for low-income households – less than a third of the $30 benefit households get through the ACP. The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) argued the Lifeline program has become redundant because it provides a smaller benefit to fewer people, as it applies to consumers with an income at or below 135% of the federal poverty line (compared to 200% or below to qualify for the ACP). Because eligibility for Lifeline is one of the ways to qualify for ACP, “there is no one covered by Lifeline who could not get the ACP."  The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW), also in favor of replacing the Lifeline program with ACP, told the USF Working Group that with hundreds of billions of dollars now available for broadband deployment across the country, it is “difficult to continue to justify keeping the USF program at its current level.” The USF should eliminate duplicative programs while supporting those that are operating “effectively and efficiently” such as the ACP, said CCAGW.

As of mid-August 2023, nearly 20 million American households have enrolled for the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) – a federal program that’s provided affordable internet to our country’s most vulnerable and enabled them to stand a chance at competing in the quickly digitizing world. However, only a little more than a third of eligible households have enrolled. I launched the Digital Inclusion and Access Taskforce in Nashville (TN) during the pandemic because I saw firsthand the devastating effects the digital divide was having on communities of color. Since then, we’ve made significant progress in getting our neighborhoods the proper resources they need to get connected. However, our work isn’t done. Less than half of Tennesseans who live in Davidson County have reliable internet. Out of almost a hundred thousand eligible households in the Nashville area, only 16% of eligible households have taken advantage of the ACP. Experts estimate that the initial funding approved by Congress for the ACP will run out in early 2024 leaving millions of Americans behind in the digital world. Education is the foundation for a brighter future, and we want to equip our young ones with the tools they need to succeed. We have the opportunity to pave the way for a brighter future, where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential in our rapidly evolving world. Let us seize this moment and work together to build a stronger, more digitally connected Nashville for generations to come.

[Dr. Fallon Wilson is the Co-Founder of the #BlackTechFutures Research Institute and Vice President of the Multicultural Media, Telecom, & Internet Council.]

Since Congress enacted the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, much of the discussion among policymakers and the public regarding Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program has focused on efforts to connect low-income populations. However, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) does not set a benchmark for such affordability, leaving each state to determine what “reasonable prices” means for its residents. This is a challenging task for states for several reasons, including the need to avoid the perception of “rate regulation”—government authority over utility pricing, which the federal and state governments do not have for internet services. States also have to consider the absence of data and research on affordability, and the effect of broadband subscription costs on the budgets of middle-income households. The Pew Charitable Trusts sought to help states address the reasonable price requirement by demonstrating that what qualifies as affordable broadband for middle-class families could vary widely. No one standard exists for broadband affordability, but in 2016, the Federal Communications Commission began using a benchmark of 2% of monthly household income while acknowledging that this benchmark serves “as a clear yardstick for charting changes, not as an inherently meaningful level.” Pew used the FCC’s benchmark and paired findings with data on county- and state-level broadband plan subscription rates. Overall, Pew’s findings indicate that no single solution or standard can apply across all states. Rather, states will need to take a customized approach to their BEAD-funded broadband access projects to meet the needs of middle-class families across diverse US communities.

Administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program will provide funding to the State of Wisconsin to expand high speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs. Wisconsin’s vision is that all Wisconsinites will have equitable access to affordable broadband service and the capacity to fully engage in a digital society. High-speed internet will benefit all residents and communities. This Five-Year Action Plan details the current state of internet access, adoption and affordability in Wisconsin. The plan identifies the needs and gaps and how Wisconsin can achieve universal service by 2030. Over the course of the past year the Wisconsin Broadband Office has engaged in robust outreach and engagement, data collection and technical assistance to create this comprehensive Five-Year plan that reflects community engagement, local coordination, and alignment with digital equity planning. The goals of Wisconsin’s Five-Year Action Plan are to:

• Achieve the highest possible level of broadband deployment and adoption.
• Deliver sustained, long-term impact on broadband access and digital opportunity for all Wisconsin residents.
• Increase the affordability and reliability of broadband service in Wisconsin.
• Ensure a sufficient and trained broadband workforce for internet service providers, contractors, and subcontractors to construct, operate and maintain current and new broadband infrastructure.

South Carolina is excited to utilize the approximately $551 million of its allocated Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding to take the next steps to improve access to high-speed broadband across the state and has articulated its vision, goals, strategies, and other relevant information in this Five-Year Action Plan to describe both what the State of South Carolina intends to accomplish and how it intends to do so. The development of this Five-Year Action Plan involved extensive stakeholder outreach and feedback from residents, businesses, and organizations across the state. Feedback from stakeholders went into identifying needs, gaps and barriers and informing the goals and strategies needed to overcome these challenges. In addition, while South Carolina is continuing to finalize its Digital Equity Plan, outreach was also undertaken to organizations representing Covered Populations. Key digital equity-related observations are included in this plan, with further insights and details to be shared in the Digital Equity Plan.

Vermont’s vision for broadband equity, access, and deployment is that Vermonters— now and in the future—have universal access to reliable, high-quality, affordable, fixed broadband at speeds of at least 100/100 Mbps, and that all Vermonters and institutions have the tools and skills to maximize the value Internet connectivity can offer. This Five-Year Action Plan outlines how Vermont can achieve this vision, what its current state is, the state’s needs and gaps, and its plan for action. The goals of Vermont’s BEAD Five-Year Action Plan are to:

• Mobilize resources for end-to-end broadband infrastructure deployments to all unserved and underserved locations and Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs) in Vermont.
• Ensure sustainable, community-driven solutions across the entire State.
• Ensure high-speed broadband services and devices are affordable and advance digital equity for all Vermonters both during the BEAD performance period and into the future.
• Enhance workforce development for broadband and the digital economy.
• Improve socio-economic conditions across Vermont

To maintain American leadership in the global 5G economy, the wireless industry must keep deploying more spectrum for consumers. It’s as simple as that. At T-Mobile, we have a record of putting our spectrum to good use quickly, now covering 326 million Americans with 5G service, 285 million of whom are covered by Ultra Capacity 5G. But in 2023, the government has not been doing its part to keep the pipeline flowing and action is needed. In 2022, the Federal Communication Commission completed Auction 108. In that auction, T-Mobile spent $304 million on more than 7,000 2.5 GHz spectrum licenses to enhance our Ultra Capacity 5G network deployment. Unfortunately, we did not receive access to the spectrum we purchased before the FCC’s Spectrum Auction Authority expired. Congress allowed the FCC’s Spectrum Auction Authority to lapse in March 2023 for the first time in history. While we, along with four former FCC General Counsels, believe the FCC still has authority to either grant the licenses or issue us special temporary authority (STA) to use the spectrum, we also understand the FCC is concerned about getting its auction authority renewed – as it should be. Spectrum auctions are the only viable way to assign licenses to the benefit of consumers and the US Treasury. T-Mobile fully supports the FCC getting that authority back as soon as possible and is working closely with CTIA and the others to accomplish that outcome. While we wait for Congress to act, Americans are losing out on enhanced 5G broadband and economic development opportunities. And as we move through hurricane season and other emergencies, this spectrum could be extremely helpful to provide needed service and additional capacity. Additional 2.5 GHz spectrum helps to increase the capacity of the network, improving connectivity and service in such instances.

[Ulf Ewaldsson is T-Mobile's President of Technology]