Jake Neenan

SpaceX has challenged at least two more states’ tentative grant winners under a $42.45 billion broadband expansion program, asking the Commerce Department to step in and mandate that states hold another round of bidding. In those comments on Colorado and Wisconsin’s plans, the company pointed to locations it thought it should have won: those where cost came in 10 times the cost of the lowest offer and those that on average cost more than $10,000 to connect, collectively representing 3.5 percent of the locations eligible for funding in the state. “NTIA should carefully review Wisconsin’s pro

Pole attachment paperwork has been slowing Shentel’s fiber buildout, said the company’s top executive. He said it could be a pain point for the $42.45 billion federal broadband expansion effort, too. “Over the past year, I think the power companies have been really overwhelmed in some cases by all of the broadband projects that are going on,” said Ed McKay, the company’s CEO.

At least two more states reported their tentative grant winners under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program, bringing the total to at least 32. Kentucky posted a draft of its final spending plan on August 28, and Wyoming had posted its plan on August 22. States have to accept public comments on the plans for at least one week before submitting them to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration for approval. The deadline for that submission is Sept. 4, and NTIA told states to post plans “no later than” Sept 4 to meet that deadline.

Eight more states are taking public comment on their final spending plans under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program, bringing the total to at least nineteen. New Hampshire, New Mexico, Delaware, and New Jersey posted drafts of their final proposals on August 26. Oklahoma, Georgia, and Maryland posted their draft plans on August 25, and Montana posted its plan on August 22.

Rural wireless trade groups are asking the Federal Communications Commission to consider subsidizing operational costs for rural carriers.

The Federal Communications Commission should still assess broadband affordability and adoption as part of its annual report on deployment, consumer advocates told the agency. The FCC is set to vote on a notice of inquiry that would kick off its annual report on whether broadband “is being deployed to all Americans in a reasonable and timely fashion.” The public draft of the inquiry sa

Consolidated Communications is looking to discontinue legacy voice services at more than 45,000 locations in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Consolidated said the affected customers could be transitioned to a voice over internet protocol service on its fiber network under the company’s Fidium brand.

Federal Communications Commissioner Anna Gomez said the Commerce Department should not overrule state decisionmaking as part of the agency’s $42.45 billion broadband expansion program. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration handed down new rules for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program in June, rescinding Biden-era approvals and requiring all states to hold an additional round of bidding. “When it comes to federal infrastructure investments like BEAD, the government should place trust in the communities the investment is meant to serve,” she said.

Sen Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) told local news that she doesn’t expect her state’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment plan to change drastically under new program rules. Previously a staunch opponent of rebidding, she said she was “fine” with satellite providers getting another chance to bid for homes and businesses the state had awarded to fiber internet service providers.

Broadband providers using unlicensed spectrum should make sure the coverage they reported to the Federal Communications Commission is up to date, said WISPA. Under new rules for the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program, states will have to make ineligible for funding some locations served with unlicensed fixed wireless.