Legislation

The federal government has obligated all $42.45 billion in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding to states and territories. This means that, subject to the terms and conditions of their awards, Eligible Entities can access their BEAD allocation to connect every resident to affordable, reliable high-speed Internet service.

A look at some of the possible changes to the Universal Service Fund (USF):

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved and recommended for award applications from Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Maryland, North Dakota, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, allowing them to request access to more than $60.6 million to implement their Digital Equity Plans. With this announcement, NTIA has approved and recommended for award all state and U.S. Territory applications for the first round of funding from the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program.

As we close out 2024, one question hanging over next year is what will come of federal broadband funding for high-cost and low-income programs?

The Federal Communications Commission's Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau reminds broadband Internet service providers (ISPs or providers) that they must display accurate broadband labels, for both wireless and wired retail standalone broadband services, at all points of sale.  The FCC is emphasizing key aspects of the label requirements to assist provider compliance and to ensure consumers receive the benefits of the labels. Providers must display the label at all “points of sale.”  Points of sale are ISP websites and any alternate channels through which the service in question is s

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel hereby appoints eight members to the Board of Directors of the Universal Service Administrative Company. The individuals are: 

The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program is underway and on track, and the 10-year initiative is expected to continue as planned when a new presidential administration takes over the White House in January. Experts argue the new administration will not impact the program’s continuation, but 

It is not controversial to say that the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Universal Service Fund (USF) program is unsustainable. Something must change. Universal Service Fund programs cover the cost of maintaining telephone service in high-cost areas, wiring rural schools, libraries, and healthcare facilities for the internet, and providing devices and services at discounted rates to low-income households.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the release of the Request for Applications under the ConnectALL Deployment Program making $644 million in federal funding available to expand affordable, high-speed broadband access to the remaining homes and businesses in New York State that do not have any reliable broadband option or an existing commitment for service under another program.

The State of New York recently awarded $140 million in grants to support publicly-owned open-access networks.