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  2. February 2019

February 2019

Tech and utilities clash over proposed FCC rule to allow unlicensed users to access the 6GHz band

The Federal Communications Commission recently proposed a new rule that will allow unlicensed users to access the 6 GHz band — a frequency on the radio spectrum — for Wi-Fi connectivity, causing a disagreement between broadband companies that would benefit from the rule and utility companies that currently rely on the frequency to communicate. The FCC reserves portions of the 6 GHz band for communications between licensed electric, water and natural gas utilities companies.

Chairman Pai's Response to Members of Congress Regarding Tribal Broadband

On Sept 12, 2018, Reps Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM) and Tom O'Halleran (D-AZ) wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai expressing concern about the Government Accountability Office report that found the FCC overstated broadband access on Tribal lands. On Nov 1, then-House Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Rep Raul Ruiz (D-CA) wrote a similar letter, requesting the FCC to address several questions and outstanding issues with the GAO's findings. 

Better Maps, Better Connectivity: How Data Can Close the Broadband Gap

As policymakers work with industry and stakeholders to ensure that all Americans have access, they need reliable data to effectively target funding and programs to meet their goals. The primary source of information on connectivity is the Federal Communications Commission, which gathers data from carriers offering broadband service. Since 2011, that data—collected on Form 477—has been displayed on the Fixed Broadband Deployment map (previously called the National Broadband Map), which shows which entities are offering fixed broadband, where they are offering it, and at what speeds.

400 MHz of Mid-band Spectrum for 5G will add $274 Billion to America’s Economy, Create 1.3 Million Jobs

Making 400 MHz of mid-band spectrum available for commercial 5G networks will add $274 billion to the U.S. economy and create 1.3 million new jobs, according to new research from Analysis Group. Key findings include:

Rural Download Speeds are Worse than Reported, Microsoft Study Says

Nearly three-quarters of the downloads hitting Microsoft servers from nonmetropolitan counties are so slow they don’t meet the Federal Communications Commission definition of broadband. Microsoft’s county-level data shows a big gap between what the federal government says is available and what people actually use. The main takeaway from this is that accurate data to measure broadband access and use remains elusive.

Freedom in the World 2019: Attacks on Democracy in the United States

At the midpoint of his term, there remains little question that President Donald Trump exerts an influence on American politics that is straining our core values and testing the stability of our constitutional system. No president in living memory has shown less respect for its tenets, norms, and principles. President Trump has assailed essential institutions and traditions including the separation of powers, a free press, an independent judiciary, the impartial delivery of justice, safeguards against corruption, and most disturbingly, the legitimacy of elections.

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