Federal

Even as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) moves forward with its long-delayed 5G Fund program to expand advanced wireless services in rural areas, the government and wireless industry are staking out the parameters of sixth-generation (6G) wireless. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) recently accepted industry comments from about 60 companies and associations on how government and industry should shape 6G, which some estimate could be deployed by 2030. Among the questions NTIA seeks to answer is how 6G enhancements could improve wireless network

Lumen Technologies—through its affiliates Qwest and CenturyTel of Wyoming—was awarded Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) funding to deploy gigabit speed Internet service in areas of Colorado, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Now Lumen is returning nine census block groups (CBGs) where it was awarded RDOF funding in those states. Lumen has observed deployment costs increase dramatically in many areas since it made its bids. In addition, in some areas, the number of locations to be deployed to is substantially different from the initial published auction numbers.

NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association is releasing the results of a survey it conducted of members on how the potential disruption of Universal Service Fund (USF) support could affect rural consumers, broadband investment in rural America, and the viability of existing rural broadband networks. The survey was conducted in August 2024 following a July decision finding the system for contributions to the federal USF unconstitutional and remanding the matter to the Federal Communications Commission. Significant findings include: 

Reps August Pfluger (R-TX) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI) introduced the PROTOCOL Act, which improves the mapping process for broadband funding and enhances interagency coordination when awarding broadband funding grants. There are currently over 130 federal broadband programs across 15 different agencies with little coordination on the billions of dollars being spent. This lack of coordination has led to waste, fraud, and abuse in these programs and risks leaving unserved communities without access to basic broadband services. Specifically, this legislation would:

This report aims to address a key security vulnerability associated with the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP)—the protocol that underpins the way information is routed across networks. While there is no single solution to address all internet routing vulnerabilities, the roadmap advocates for the adoption of Resource Public Key Infrastructure (RPKI) as a mature, ready-to-implement approach to mitigate BGP’s vulnerabilities. The Roadmap provides 18 key recommendations to network operators, service providers, and federal agencies. They include:

Governor Roy Cooper urged North Carolina local and tribal governments, nonprofits and broadband service providers to help identify areas across the state that need better access to high-speed internet. These organizations are encouraged to submit data challenging eligible locations for inclusion in the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, which launches in early 2025. The program provides $1.53 billion to North Carolina to bring high-speed internet infrastructure to unserved and underserved locations across the state. The N.C.

The Federal Communications Commission recently released a short document that highlights the benefits that come from the Universal Service Fund. The FCC touts the following benefits from the Universal Service Fund:

When the state of Kentucky made plans to award $300 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for broadband deployments, the priority was on getting high-speed service to the neediest areas first. “Our priority with the ARPA funding was reaching areas that had no service,” said Meghan Sandfoss, executive director of Kentucky’s Office of Broadband Development. The state awarded the $300 million in ARPA funding in two rounds.

Students need fast and reliable access to the internet at school, at home, and anywhere that learning may take place. While great strides have been made towards connecting K-12 students, particularly at schools, many students still lack a reliable connection off-campus. This leaves students and families unable to fully engage in learning and prepare for careers, and teachers and districts are struggling to use technology in an impactful and equitable manner. Two major factors influence impactful learning opportunities for K-12 students—internet and device access.

In prisons and jails across the country, a bulky tablet enclosed in a screwed-on plastic case has become the hottest new device. Featuring limited online access, the tablets allow incarcerated people to make calls, send messages and watch movies from their cells.