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  2. November 2016

November 2016

CBO Scores American Innovation and Competitiveness Act

The American Innovation and Competitiveness Act (S. 3084) would amend current law and authorize the appropriation of about $17.3 billion over the 2017-2018 period for the operations of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Assuming appropriation of the specified and estimated amounts, CBO estimates that implementing the legislation would cost $16.4 billion over the 2017-2021 period and $0.9 billion after 2021. CBO also estimates that enacting S. 3084 would increase direct spending by $25 million over the 2017-2026 period because enacting the legislation would authorize NIST to enter into enhanced-use leasing arrangements. Because enacting the bill would increase direct spending, pay-as-you-go procedures apply. Enacting S. 3084 would not affect revenues. CBO estimates that enacting S. 3084 would not increase net direct spending or on-budget deficits by more than $5 billion in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2027. S. 3084 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments.

Maryland Office of People's Counsel calls for investigation of Verizon copper retirement notices

The Maryland Office of People's Counsel is calling for an investigation and suspension of copper-line retirement notices Verizon has been sending some Maryland customers. Verizon and other telecommunications companies are eager to replace old copper wiring for landline telephones with fiber-optic cable, and the Federal Communications Commission has established rules to make the transition smoother for customers. The notices Verizon has been sending some customers in Howard, Baltimore, Anne Arundel and Montgomery counties are confusing and misleading, and therefore do not comply with the FCC's rules, the Maryland Office of People's Counsel alleged in a petition to the Maryland Public Service Commission and comments to the FCC. For example, some customers received notice that their copper line will be retired and they must switch to Verizon's fiber network or another provider by Dec. 14, while other notices had a deadline of September 2017. Still others received both notices, according to the Office of People's Counsel.

School Technology Makes Progress, Yet Challenges Remain—CoSN’s 2016 Infrastructure Survey

School systems in the United States are making progress in increasing broadband connectivity and Wi-Fi in classrooms. However, significant hurdles remain before all students are able to experience a digitally-enabled learning environment. These are the findings revealed today in CoSN’s 2016 Annual E-rate and Infrastructure Survey, a report conducted in partnership with AASA, The School Superintendents Association, and MDR. Gathering insights from K-12 school administrators and technology directors nationwide, the report addresses key areas of concern for school districts, including affordability, network speed and capacity, reliability and competition, digital equity, security and cloud-based services.

Affordability: In 2016, 57 percent of school leaders identified the cost of ongoing recurring expenses as the biggest barrier to robust connectivity—up from 46 percent in 2015. The cost for monthly Internet connection showed significant improvement, with nearly one-half of respondents reporting low monthly costs (less than $5 per Mbps). This is a steady improvement from 36 percent in 2015 and 27 percent in 2014.

Digital Equity: Among the school leaders surveyed, 42 percent ranked addressing digital equity / lack of broadband access outside of school as a “very high priority." Nearly two-thirds of school system leaders, however, revealed that they do not have any strategies for providing off-campus connectivity to students. This is only a slight improvement over previous years.

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