1. Monthly archive
  2. February 2019

February 2019

Will fixed 5G be a broadband savior for wireless operators?

Verizon and AT&T have waffled on their timelines and business strategies for fixed 5G vs. mobile 5G. In 2018, Verizon pushed hard to be the “first” operator to launch 5G and it was going to do so by offering a fixed wireless service. The company fulfilled that goal with its prestandardized fixed 5G service, called 5G Home, that it launched in four markets in Oct 2018. However, it appears Verizon will be moving more quickly to a mobile 5G offering, while the expansion of its fixed 5G Home service may be delayed to later in 2019. 

Fixed wireless: It’s not just for urban densification

Fixed wireless has garnered a lot of attention lately because both Verizon and AT&T are deploying the technology as a first step in their 5G networks. Not only does fixed wireless provide a first step in the evolution to 5G, but the technology can also be used for urban densification. And carriers can use it to “overbuild” in their competitor’s territory as well. For instance, Verizon has a lot of fiber in New York City, but with fixed 5G and its higher speeds, AT&T could poach some of Verizon’s broadband customers.

House Members to FCC Chairman Pai: It’s Oversight Time

House Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr.

FCC Votes To Create New Fraud Division Within The Enforcement Bureau

The Federal Communications Commission has voted to create a Fraud Division within its Enforcement Bureau. This action codifies and reiterates the importance of ongoing work by FCC enforcement staff to combat misuse of taxpayer funds. The new Fraud Division will be dedicated to investigating and prosecuting fraud in the Universal Service Fund (USF). This team will work closely with the FCC’s Office of Inspector General, the US Department of Justice, and other law enforcement agencies to prosecute unlawful conduct.

Sponsor 

Free Press

Date 
Fri, 02/08/2019 - 00:00

Free Press’ Alicia Bell will be talking with journalists, advocates and policy experts about how to challenge and change a media that normalizes White supremacy in the Trump era. 

The news has incredible power to influence how we think and react to the world around us. With this comes a responsibility to disseminate truth and challenge the powers that be. 


Sponsor 

Next Century Cities, the Coalition for Local Internet Choice, the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, and the National League of Cities

Date 
Wed, 02/20/2019 - 23:00 to Thu, 02/21/2019 - 01:00

A screening and discussion of the short documentary Do Not Pass Go (see trailer)

Do Not Pass Go follows filmmaker Cullen Hoback’s visit to Pinetops, North Carolina, to investigate the battle between municipal networks and private providers. This event will discuss the value of local internet solutions, existing legislative and regulatory barriers, and actions that local and federal government can take to support municipal broadband and internet access for all.


January 2019 Lifeline National Verifier Plan Update

On June 18, 2018, the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) and the Federal Communications Commission deployed the National Verifier (NV) system, kicking off the initial Soft Launch phase in six states. Since then, USAC has launched in ten additional states/territories across two separate launches. States and territories in the June 2018 and October 2018 launches are in the Full Launch phase, meaning carriers are required to use the NV system. In addition, consumers have access to use the system in these states.

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