telecompetitor
California Department of Technology Gives Updates on Middle-Mile, Last-Mile Projects
The California Department of Technology (CDT) has issued a periodic update on its middle-mile and last-mile initiatives. The report says that almost 3,100 miles of Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative (MMBI) have “gone to installation” through the CDT’s joint build, indefeasible right-of-use/lease partnerships, and Caltrans constructions. The total is nearly half of the roughly 8,000 miles that will be deployed Caltrans says that it is continuing to make progress in moving from pre-construction to installation of almost 800 miles of network.
RDOF Defaults Keep Coming; “Penny Wise, Pound Foolish”
Many stakeholders were shocked when it came to light that over a third of $9.2 billion in winning bids in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund broadband program were rejected after the Federal Communications Commission reviewed winning bidders’ long-form applications. And the tally of RDOF defaults isn’t complete yet. A Benton Institute analysis found that bids associated with nearly $112.8 million in additional RDOF funding are in default. The additional defaults represent nearly 1.9 million locations that had been expected to receive service.
Alaska Broadband Project Expected to Bridge the Digital Divide and Create Jobs
A collaborative broadband project in Alaska is expected to deliver multi-faceted, transformative benefits to the Athabascan community of Nenana. The collaboration is between Nenana Native Association, Tanana Chiefs Conference, and Alaska Communications, a provider of communications infrastructure in Alaska.
Altice Optimum Exec Shares Details on Multi-Gigabit DOCSIS and Fiber Plans (telecompetitor)
Submitted by zwalker@benton.org on Fri, 02/14/2025 - 11:21Supreme Court Will Hear Universal Service Case on March 26
The U.S. Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments in the case of FCC v. Consumers’ Research—a case regarding the Universal Service Fund—for Wednesday morning, March 26. The court will decide on a 2024 ruling by the U.S.
25 Companies Urge FCC to Protect CBRS
Twenty-five organizations sent a letter this week to new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr in opposition to prospective changes to the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) framework. The companies say that the changes would upend the goals for which CBRS was developed. The letter urges the FCC to not pursue proposals to increase power levels for CBRS devices and relax emissions limits.
New Mexico Details $1.25 Million Broadband Program Deadlines, Criteria
The New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) has released program details for the fourth wave of the Connect New Mexico Pilot Program. The award, which is for $1.251 million, focuses on connectivity to geographic areas that had been declared disaster areas between 2022 and last year and eligible underserved broadband serviceable locations (BSL) in those areas. These New Mexico broadband awards were authorized under NM House Bill 2. The key dates for these New Mexico broadband grants:
Washington State Reassures Partners After Federal Funding Pause, Restart (telecompetitor)
Submitted by benton on Sat, 02/01/2025 - 12:49Federal funding freeze creates 'considerable uncertainty' for BEAD
The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has rescinded a memorandum that would have put a pause on all federal grant funds, creating significant confusion.