Agenda

European Parliament takes steps towards regulation of artificial intelligence

The European Parliament adopted its negotiating position on the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act with 499 votes in favour, 28 against and 93 abstentions ahead of talks with EU member states on the final shape of the law.

Broadband Associations Share ReConnect Wish List for Farm Bill Anticipated by September 2023

If provider associations are successful in their advocacy, the next Farm Bill will end the need for ReConnect broadband funding to be reappropriated every year. The ReConnect program covers some of the costs of deploying broadband to unserved areas. Farm bills are an every-five-year occurrence and the current bill is due to expire later in 2023. Fortunately, the farm bill typically has bipartisan support and usually passes both chambers, noted NTCA (The Rural Broadband Association) Director o

A Look at Louisiana's Draft Digital Equity Plan

As states act to capitalize on federal broadband funding, Louisiana has been leading the way.

Updated BEAD State Allocations Estimates: How Much Money Will Your State Get?

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is scheduled to release state funding allocations for the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program by the end of June 2023. The allocations will be based on the latest version of the Federal Communications Commission's National Broadband Map released in late May 2023.

Tech rolls out two revolutions at once

Silicon Valley is hatching new futures faster than the rest of the world can digest them. The artificial-intelligence wave, driven by the astonishing ne

Sponsor: 

Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development

House Agriculture Committee

Date: 
Tue, 06/13/2023 - 10:00


Dish, AT&T object to SpaceX and T-Mobile’s spectrum request

In April 2023, the Federal Communications Commission’s Space Bureau and Wireless Telecommunications Bureau opened a proceeding to accept comments on filings by SpaceX and T-Mobile to establish supplemental wireless coverage from space.

Building a “No Regrets” Fiber Network

As broadband needs continue to increase, service providers want to build a “No Regrets” fiber network capable of operating for decades and easily upgradable as user needs increase and technology evolves.

What generative AI means for the communications sector

Whether you believe that generative AI has the potential to change the world for good, or that it poses more risks than benefits, most experts agree it is likely to have a significant impact on the future of our economy and society as a whole. This is certainly true for the communications industries. From security to broadcast content, and from online safety to spectrum management, generative AI promises to disrupt traditional service delivery, business models, and consumer behaviour. The use of generative AI could also pose risks.

Windstream blows past FCC foreign ownership rule to end bankruptcy saga

Windstream will walk away from its Chapter 11 bankruptcy for good following a decision from the Federal Communications Commission to waive a rule that prohibits US telecommunications carriers from having more than 25% ownership by foreign companies. The FCC waiver is the final stamp of approval for Windstream’s plan of reorganization, for which the Bankruptcy Court gave the go-ahead in June 2020.

Sponsor: 

Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety and Data Security

Senate Commerce Committee

Date: 
Thu, 06/08/2023 - 10:00

The hearing will explore how undisclosed fees harm consumers and prevent a fair and transparent market and will examine potential legislative solutions.

Witnesses



Google Fiber won't 'directly' participate in government funding programs

The bulk of Google Fiber's buildouts is focused on cities and towns that are getting broadband service from incumbent cable operators and telephone companies.

Closing the Digital Divide With the Affordable Connectivity Program

The federal government is in the process of deploying billions in broadband funding—including more than $80 billion in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars—to ensure that every American has access to reliable, high-speed internet. But even when infrastructure investments deliver network access to unserved and underserved communities, families won’t benefit unless they can afford internet service.

Sponsor: 

Fiber Broadband Association

Date: 
Wed, 06/07/2023 - 10:00 to 10:30

The industry is on the cusp of delivering ubiquitous gigabit connectivity to all Americans. It has been repeatedly said that this is a once in a lifetime investment and operators, communities and state broadband officials are focused on ensuring that the investments made today will pay dividends for future generations.



House Oversight Committee Chairman Comer Probes Federal Trade Commission Chair Khan’s Abuses of Power

House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-KY) is opening an investigation into Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Lina Khan. FTC Commissioner Christine Wilson recently resigned from her role after concerns about the integrity of the FTC under Chair Khan’s leadership, citing abuses of power and disregard for the rule of law and federal ethics standards.

42.5 Billion Reasons to Pass Permitting Reform Now

In the wake of the bipartisan resolution on the debt ceiling, Congress now has the opportunity to take another timely and unifying step forward for our nation—one that will help ensure a connected economy in which everyone can fully participate in its many opportunities. Nearly $42.5 billion in federal broadband infrastructure investment is poised to begin flowing to the states. With broadband providers and communities ready, willing, and eager to proceed, the single most intractable barricade remains—the ability of the gears of government to grind all progress to a halt.

FCC Announces the Start Date for Performance Measures Testing for the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, Bringing Puerto Rico Together Fund, and the Connect USVI Fund

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) announces January 1, 2024 as the start date for the requirement to begin one year of pre-testing and reporting of speed and latency results for the Bringing Together Puerto Rico Fund Stage and the Connect USVI Fund Stage 2. Testing will begin on January 1, 2025. For the carriers participating in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF), pre-testing will begin on January 1, 2025, and testing will begin on January 1, 2026.

Sponsor: 

Federal Communications Commission

Date: 
Thu, 06/15/2023 - 10:00 to 17:00

The agenda for the meeting will include final reports and recommendations from each of the three Communications Equity and Diversity Council (CEDC) working groups including Innovation and Access, Digital Empowerment and Inclusion, and Diversity and Equity.

The June 15, 2023, meeting is the closing meeting of the CEDC under its current charter, ending June 29, 2023. This agenda may be modified at the discretion of the CEDC Chair and the DFO.



2023 Broadband Legislation

I guess it’s inevitable that a $42.5 billion grant program would attract a lot of legislative action trying to set some parameters on how to spend the money. Recent hearings conducted by the House Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Communications and Technology looked at issues that would expedite the deployment of broadband infrastructure. The subcommittee is considering 32 bills related to broadband infrastructure, many of the bills still in draft form. Following are just a few bills that show the breadth of House legislation being considered:

Sponsor: 

University of Idaho Extension

Date: 
Wed, 06/28/2023 - 10:00 to 16:00


Sponsor: 

Fierce

Date: 
Wed, 11/15/2023 - 13:00 to Fri, 11/17/2023 - 15:00

The first ever U.S. Broadband Summit.



How the FCC may be forced to grapple with AI, too

The Federal Communications Commission — which has jurisdiction over radio, television, cable, and satellites —  isn’t best known for grappling with cutting-edge technology. But amid the rise of generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney, the communications regulator may be forced to tackle artificial intelligence, an area that’s beginning to intersect with