Policymakers

The Federal Communications Commission announced the leadership team of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB). The WTB plays a key role in promoting the deployment of innovative spectrum-based services across the country, as it develops, recommends, and administers the policy and licensing programs relating to terrestrial wireless communications, including mobile broadband, fixed access, private wireless, and personal radio services. Chief Taubenblatt announced the Bureau leadership team, which is made up of both long-time WTB staff members and new additions. The team includes:

As an end of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) funding looms, a congressional briefing was held to discuss what an end to the program could mean and its importance for achieving digital equity. Estimates from the Benton Institute for Broadband and Society and the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation predict th

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced changes to her leadership team, as well as the addition of a new Legal Advisor. Chairwoman Rosenworcel announced the departure of Umair Javed from her team and the agency more broadly. Effective as of July 20th, 2023, Priscilla Delgado-Argeris will serve as Chief Counsel, Ramesh Nagarajan will assume the role of Chief Legal Advisor, and Rashann Duvall will join the Chairwoman’s team as Acting Legal Advisor on the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and other wireline issues.

The Federal Communications Commission adopted an order providing Tribal libraries and other E-Rate participants enhanced access to funding so they can obtain affordable, high-speed broadband services and equipment to connect students and library patrons with online learning opportunities.

The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, the US government’s $42 billion broadband grants program, requires recipients to provide a Letter of Credit for 25% of the grant award. Alongside the additional 25% match requirement, this capital barrier will shut out a huge number of internet service providers (ISP).The small and community-centered ISPs, minority and women-owned businesses, nonprofits, and municipalities that the program claims to be targeting will be most affected.

The Financial Services and General Government fiscal year 2024 appropriations bill provides $16.95 billion to fund the operations of more than two dozen independent federal agencies including:

I celebrated my thirteenth anniversary back at NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association in this role leading the best association team and the most exciting industry. I spent 20 years at NTCA after working on Capitol Hill and loved everything about the membership that the organization represented. At the time I started (in the dark ages, per my daughters), our mission was about bringing telephone service to rural Americans.

Lina Khan, the chair of the Federal Trade Commission, faced more than three hours of criticism and ridicule from Republicans in a House hearing, as emboldened critics increasingly put pressure on the agency for its crackdown on the growing power of tech giants. During the highly partisan hearing, Republicans accused Chair Khan, who has carried out an aggressive agenda of lawsuits and investigations against tech companies, of “harassing” businesses.

Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr announced that Lauren Garry has joined his office as Legal Advisor. Lauren joins Commissioner Carr’s office from the Wireline Competition Bureau, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, where she focused on the High-Cost Program, including the Connect America Fund and the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. Garry also served as the Designated Federal Officer for the Precision Agriculture Connectivity Task Force.

The US Senate Commerce Committee approved the following nominations for three Federal Communications Commission Commissioners, and the FCC Inspector General:

• Anna Gomez to be a Commissioner on the Federal Communications Commission;
• Geoffrey Starks to be a Commissioner on the Federal Communications Commission;
• Brendan Carr to be a Commissioner on the Federal Communications Commission; and
• Fara Damelin to be Inspector General of the Federal Communications Commission.