What's on the agenda for policymakers.
Agenda
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), along with the U.S. Department of Education, will host a virtual webinar to provide additional information about the Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program (Pilot Program), as well as information on other federal cybersecurity resources available to schools and libraries.
The session will help prospective BEAD applicants understand the program’s workforce requirements and prepare them for the upcoming application process. ISPs will compete with bids for part of the $229 million of federal funding to bring universal broadband service to Vermont.
Broadband Deployment: Who’s the Cop on the Beat?
Many people have criticized the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for its execution of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) program, which awarded $6 billion in funding to bring broadband to 3.5 million locations across the country.
The Divide: Blair Levin on what the end of Chevron deference means for broadband
TBlair Levin, analyst for New Street Research and former chief of staff at the FCC, discusses the Supreme Court's June 28 decision striking down Chevron deference (a.k.a, the Loper Bright decision), and the implications for the telecommunications industry at large.
Federal Municipal Network Support Declining, Warns Experts
Experts expressed concern that federal support for municipal broadband is limited, prompting uncertainty about future funding and operational sustainability. Tyler Cooper, editor-in-chief of Broadband Now, said that Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) grants are less promising for municipal broadband deployments despite initial promises. Cooper expressed concern that BEAD rules and requirements may not favor municipal networks, potentially favoring larger providers.
ONAP Tribal Workshop – Includes Special Focus on Broadband Data and Mapping
At this meeting, the Task Force and Working Group Leadership will provide updates on the progress of their respective reports, begin to discuss Executive Summary details, review and discuss program and policy expectations relevant to the Task Force’s duties, and continue to discuss strategies to advance broadband deployment on agricultural land and promote precision agriculture.
This agenda may be modified at the discretion of the Task Force Chair and the Designated Federal Officer.
AT&T, Verizon Tangle Over 5G Service for Emergency Responders
Two of the nation’s major telecommunications companies are feuding over a plan to boost service for police, firefighters and other state and local agencies—a move Verizon Communications says would amount to a $14 billion gift to rival AT&T.
Elon Musk Enters Uncharted Territory With Trump Endorsement
Roughly 30 minutes after Donald Trump was shot, Elon Musk backed his bid for the White House. Musk entered uncharted territory. He broke with tradition set by the leaders of other major social media firms, none of whom have endorsed a presidential candidate.
NDIA Announces Grading Internet for Good
To help millions of households navigate and evaluate low-cost internet plans, the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) created a new rating system to evaluate a plan’s affordability and quality. NDIA GIG (Grading Internet for Good) reflects lessons from the Affordable Connectivity Program that contributed to the program’s success and evaluates plans on cost, transparency, speed, performance, and eligibility criteria. We’ve also updated our Honor Roll of Low