Federal Communications Commission

On November 10, 2022, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) officially opened the application window for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Outreach Grant with the release of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Applications are due January 9, 2023, at 11:59 PM EST. If you’re interested in applying for a grant, we encourage you to start the process as soon as possible, as there are several steps you will need to take. The NOFO includes information on eligibility, funding allocation, funding prioritization factors, and guidance on how to prepare for receiving grant f

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released the first version of its new broadband map, marking a major step toward the distribution of $42.5 billion in funding for network expansions across the country. The maps are set to be used by the government to calculate which states will get the most money from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, with more funding going to those areas with the most unserved locations.

Overall, there are 112 million Broadband Serviceable Locations (BSLs) in the country (excluding territories). Of those, 7.15% of the BSLs are Unserved, which is 8 million. 5.2% of the BSLs are Underserved, or 5.8 million nationally. The Unserved and Underserved numbers provided are how I expect the calculation to be done for the BEAD program: it excludes LEO satellite service and also excludes service provided over unlicensed fixed wireless. It’s important to remember that the denominator in these calculations is BSLs, not housing units. BSLs include small businesses.

Each quarter, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) determines the Universal Service Fund (USF) surcharge that is placed on customers’ telecommunications bills. The surcharge is calculated by estimating the cost of the agency’s various universal service programs, divided by the industry’s anticipated telecommunications revenue. As those programs have grown, and that revenue has shrunk, the surcharge has risen from 3 percent in 1998 to a whopping 33 percent in 2021.

"These labels are not just iconic. They are extraordinarily useful because they help consumers make good choices," said Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. "Earlier this year at the Federal Communications Commission, we proposed to do the same thing with broadband. That’s because broadband is now an essential service—for everyone, everywhere.

“Today is an important milestone in our effort to help everyone, everywhere get specific information about what broadband options are available for their homes, and pinpointing places in the country where communities do not have the service they need,” said Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “Our pre-production draft maps are a first step in a long-term effort to continuously improve our data as consumers, providers and others share information with us.

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau announced that the "Your Home, Your Internet," and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Navigator Pilot Programs (collectively, Pilot Programs) application filing window will open November 21, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) and will close on January 9, 2023, at 9:00 p.m. EST. The FCC created the two pilot programs to increase awareness of and facilitate enrollment in the ACP and to provide consumers assistance with ACP applications.

When it comes to mid-band spectrum in the US, it looks as though it’s no longer a matter of spectrum stakeholders rolling up their sleeves for a national spectrum plan.

Richard Bernhardt, of the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA), said he’s pleased with the Federal Communication Commission’s Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) recent, conditional approval of 13 proposed automated frequency coordination (AFC) database systems to develop operations for the 6 GHz band. Once approved, the automated frequency coordination (AFC) systems will allow for much higher power and outdoor use of the 6 GHz band, meaning wireless internet service providers (WISPs) can use it as part of their fixed wireless access (FWA) offerings.

The Federal Communications Commission released an updated map detailing broadband availability nationwide that will be used to allocate $42 billion in federal funds to states and territories to help expand access to affordable high-speed internet.