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  2. September 2023

September 2023

Sen. Kennedy introduces bill to require FCC to release previously auctioned spectrum, expand 5G access to rural Americans

Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) introduced the 5G Spectrum Authority Licensing Enforcement (SALE) Act to require the Federal Communications Commission to release previously auctioned spectrum in order to expand 5G broadband access to rural communities. The legislation would temporarily grant the FCC auction authority so that it may complete spectrum transfers and allow broadband services to provide 5G network coverage to Americans in rural areas. Kennedy’s legislation would grant the FCC a one-time, temporary authority to issue licenses purchased in auctions that were held before March 9, 2023

Spectrum Launches Gigabit Broadband, Mobile, TV and Voice Services in Craven County, North Carolina

Spectrum launched the Internet, Mobile, TV, and Voice services to more than 200 homes and small businesses in Craven County, North Carolina. Spectrum’s newly constructed fiber-optic network buildout in Craven County is part of the company’s approximately $5 billion Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF)-related investment in unserved rural communities, which includes $1 billion won in the Federal Communications Commission’s RDOF auction. 

CBO Scores STOP CSAM Act of 2023 (S. 1199)

The STOP CSAM Act of 2023 (S. 1199) would authorize appropriations to establish the Child Online Protection Board to adjudicate complaints against interactive computer service providers (such as Internet service providers, social media companies, and municipal broadband providers). The bill also would authorize the appropriation of funds to appoint guardians at litem (attorneys and social workers who protect child victims throughout court proceedings) and trustees who facilitate restitution payments owed to child victims.

USTelecom offers suggestions on preventing digital discrimination

As detailed below, there are several steps the Federal Communications Commission can take as part of carrying out Congress’s direction to take into account technical and economic feasibility as it adopts rules in to eliminate digital discrimination. As an initial matter, when evaluating technical and economic feasibility, the FCC should account for the capital constraints that internet service providers (“ISPs”) face and the multi-faceted business decision-making processes that they implement to optimize investment.

AT&T CFO: Gigapower plan to chase BEAD funding

AT&T CFO Pascal Desroches said it's a safe bet that AT&T and BlackRock's joint venture—Gigapower—will tap into Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding; but stressed the importance of targeting those funds in “areas that make sense for us.” Deroches said “We are not getting dollars for the sake of getting dollars. We want to make sure we can get an appropriate return on those.”

 

4th Quarter USF Contribution Factor is 34.5 percent

The  Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) submitted projections of demand and administrative expenses for federal universal service support mechanisms for the fourth quarter of 2023. The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau, in consultation with the FCC's Office of Managing Director, previously directed USAC to carry forward up to $211.50 million in unused funds from prior funding years to the extent necessary to satisfy funding year 2023 Rural Health Care program demand.

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