Federal Communications Commission
Missouri Using 100% of Capital Projects Fund Allocation for Broadband
On December 1, 2022, the U.S. Treasury approved Missouri’s plan to dedicate all of its Capital Projects Fund allocation to extend the reach of broadband in the state. Agriculture is Missouri’s leading economic driver. Over 95,000 farms employ nearly 400,000 people, export more than $2.5 billion across the globe, and make economic contributions to the state of $88.4 billion. Missouri is second in the number of farms in the United States and ranks in the top 10 nationally for the production of eleven different agricultural products.
Public Knowledge cites ‘inaccuracies’ in new broadband maps
Just days after the Federal Communications Commission released an initial draft of a national map showing the availability of broadband internet, some groups are criticizing what they see as the map’s shortcomings. A letter from Public Knowledge dated Nov.
Senators Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Access to Rural Broadband
Sens. John Thune (R-SD), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Deb Fischer (R-NE) introduced the Rural Internet Improvement Act. This bipartisan legislation would streamline and bolster US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development broadband programs and ensure that their funding is being targeted to rural areas that need it the most. The legislation would:
SHLB Coalition urges FCC to label anchor institutions as broadband serviceable locations
With just over a month remaining until the Federal Communications Commission's deadline for broadband map challenges, the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition is raising concerns over how the map displays community anchor institutions (CAIs) and is asking the FCC to revise its process.
Biden-Harris Administration Launches New Initiatives to Modernize Electromagnetic Spectrum Access and Technological Resources on Tribal Lands
The Departments of the Interior and Commerce and the Federal Communications Commission announced a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance electromagnetic spectrum access opportunities and the deployment of broadband and other wireless services on Tribal lands.
FCC Announces Agenda for December 2022 Open Meeting
The Federal Communications Commission announced the agenda for its December 2022 open commission meeting. The FCC will consider:
A Year One Update on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: Making Broadband More Affordable
U.S. households pay a lot for broadband internet access service, more than consumers in the European Union pay for similar service. U.S.
The FCC has a new broadband map. Vermont officials say it vastly overstates reality.
According to the Federal Communications Commission, more than 95 percent of Vermont households have broadband internet access. That’s the main takeaway from a newly updated map created by the FCC that tracks internet speeds and provider availability down to individual addresses. But officials at the Vermont Community Broadband Board said that the database overestimates the percent of households with broadband — and that federal funding is at stake.
FCC’s New Broadband Map Brings Challenges for Local Government
On November 18, the Federal Communications Commission unveiled an update of its map showing broadband availability in communities throughout the U.S.
It’s No Time to Disarm in the War Against the Digital Divide
The pandemic spurred policymakers and community leaders around the country to create programs to connect those without home broadband service or computers. These programs have had an impact. New government data show sharp increases in broadband and computer adoption in the 2019-to-2021 time frame. Initiatives such as the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) have helped address “subscription vulnerability” for low-income households. With progress evident, it is time to extend and build on the ACP and local affordability programs.