What's on the agenda for policymakers.
Agenda
The internet has become a ubiquitous part of daily life and has become essential for education, financial services, social services, and more. And yet, an estimated 42 million people in America continue to lack broadband in the US. This disproportionately affects the elderly, people of color, low-income populations, and those who live in rural areas. These populations are left digitally invisible and unable to participate in the modern economy and ways of life.
FCC nominee Gigi Sohn will not receive a confirmation vote on December 15
The Senate Commerce Committee will not be voting next week on Federal Communications Commission nominee Gigi Sohn [Senior Fellow and Public Advocate at the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society]’s nomination because some committee members asked for more time to meet with her. That’s another ominous sign for her nomination, in the wake of fierce GOP criticism. And it seems to ensure that her possible confirmation — which is required to secure a Democratic majority at the FCC — won’t happen until 2022.
The committee will consider the following measures and nominations:
FCC Issues Further Guidance for Affordable Connectivity Program
The Federal Communications Commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau waives certain provisions of rules governing the internet service offering, standard rate, provider participation, and election notice requirements for the end of the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program as a result of the text in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Bureau also provides additional guidance to help consumers, participating service providers, program partners, and other stakeholders prepare for the transition from the EBB Program to the Affordable Connectivity Program.
How Biden can make his internet freedom agenda a success
The launch of President Biden's Alliance for the Future of the Internet has now been delayed after civil society activists and even some officials in the US government raised concerns that the new initiative would draw scarce resources away from existing fora dedicated to the advancement of internet freedom, deepen distrust between like-minded actors, and undermine the digital rights of those who live in repressive societies.
Congress recently created the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a new, long-term $14 billion program that will replace the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB Program). Households enrolled in the EBB Program as of December 31, 2021 will continue to receive their current monthly benefit during a 60-day transition period that ends March 1, 2022.
USAC will host an introductory webinar to provide an overview of the ACP and the transition from the EBB Program to ACP.
We will explore a wide range of issues including spectrum policy, intra-agency spectrum coordination processes, and the evolving regulatory environment for tech and telco. Chairman Pai will share his views on how the influx of billions of dollars to close the digital divide can best be put to use, and so much more.