September 2023

Frontier says $2.1 billion boost makes its fiber goal achievable

Frontier Communications CEO Nick Jeffery said the company's fiber securitization will give it funding through the end of its target year of 2025, and a “very clear path” to hit 10 million fiber passings. In August, Frontier closed its fiber securitization notes offering as part of a $2.1 billion financing, a significant jump from its initial goal of raising $1.05 billion.

AT&T cites data downplaying lead cable risks, EPA taking issue 'very seriously'

Fallout continues from the Wall Street Journal’s investigative journalism exposé that showed telecommunications companies in the US have left behind a massive network of copper cables covered in toxic lead. AT&T CEO John Stankey said “there is no public health crisis” to worry about, citing the release of lead test results by AT&T, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the state of New York.

Verizon’s Vestberg dismisses pricing discounts and free bundles

Despite the cable mobile virtual network operators' (MVNO's) success with bundled offerings and heavily discounted wireless service plans, don’t expect Verizon to follow suit. Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg dismissed the cable MVNO's strategy of offering free or discounted wireless service plans when bundled with broadband. “Lowballing and discounting won’t help us,” he said, adding that the company recently ended its $25/month discounted pricing for its 5G Home fixed wireless access offering.

Initial Proposal Volume 1: Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Grant Program

The Colorado Broadband Office (CBO) has drafted the following document to meet the requirements for Volume 1 of its Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Initial Proposal. The CBO will commence a 30-day period for public comments on Volume 1 of the Initial Proposal. Volume 1 of the Initial Proposal includes the following requirements:

NDIA’s Roadmap to Digital Inclusion: Shaping the Future of USF

The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) sees reshaping USF as a key potential strategy for achieving digital equity. Five key recommendations for Congress as it considers the future of USF are:

NRTC Enhances Marketing and Customer Experience Capabilities Through Pivot Acquisition

The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC), a membership cooperative of rural electric and telecom providers, has acquired Pivot Group, a marketing and customer experience (CX) agency that serves rural broadband providers. NRTC traditionally has focused on technology, helping members plan, deploy and manage technology investments.

Treasury Department Announces Approval of Federal Funds to Connect 20,000 Oklahoma Homes and Businesses

The Department of the Treasury approved $167.7 million for high-speed internet projects in Oklahoma under the American Rescue Plan Act's (ARPA) Capital Projects Fund (CPF), which the state estimates will connect approximately 20,000 homes and businesses to affordable, high-speed internet. Oklahoma is approved to receive funds for broadband infrastructure projects.

Pragmatic Steps to Deliver Digital Connectivity, Trust, and Opportunity For All

There are pragmatic steps within reach to ensure connectivity for all, trust for all, and opportunity for all: