Letter

Access to internet service is meaningless to consumers if the cost of signing up is a barrier

We write in support of your ongoing focus on internet affordability as you work to administer the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program enacted in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  For years, Democrats and Republicans expressed concern over the digital divide, and the $42 billion investment in the BEAD Program gives us a real opportunity to finally bridge this divide and connect every American to high-speed, reliable, and affordable internet.

Next Century Cities Advocates for Consumer Protections in ACP Wind-Down Process

On March 20, 2024, Next Century Cities (NCC) met with the Federal Communications Commission's Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) staff regarding the Affordable Connectivity Program wind-down. NCC said the CGB must work closely with the Wireline Competition Bureau to craft wind-down guidance that ensures customers are protected. NCC also urged the Federal Communications Commission to require providers to disclose how a consumers bill will increase.

Organizations Urge FCC to Establish an Office of Civil Rights

In a March 19 letter to the Federal Communications Commission, the National Urban League (NUL), National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP), and Black Women’s Roundtable (BWR) write to express our strong support for the establishment of an Office of Civil Rights within the FCC.

Public Interest Groups Urge Congress To Renew FCC Auction Authority, Fund ACP

On March 21, Public Knowledge joined 24 other public interest and consumer advocacy groups in a letter to congressional leaders about the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The groups urged Congress to renew the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) spectrum auction authority and use some of the projected revenue to help fund the ACP. "Congress has a unique opportunity to advance our national spectrum goals while simultaneously generating sufficient revenue to support the connectivity needs of millions of Americans," said the letter.

In letter to FCC, Altice USA says it will not deploy broadband in some Louisiana Rural Digital Opportunity Fund areas

Altice USA was awarded Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (“RDOF”) funding to deploy 100/20 Mbps service to 18 census block groups (“CBGs”) in Louisiana. Now Altice notifies the Federal Communications Commission of its plans to surrender its awarded RDOF areas in Louisiana. Altice had begun connecting unserved locations in its RDOF areas.

Sen Rosen Leads Colleagues in Push to Secure Funding for Affordable Connectivity Program in Forthcoming Package

A group of 33 senators urged Senate leadership to include funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) as part of future must-pass legislation, including the next government funding package. We write to urge you to take immediate action to fund the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program. Both of these programs are vital for closing the digital divide, by making connectivity affordable to millions of working families and ensuring providers are able to continue serving rural communities.

Chairwoman Rosenworcel's Update to Members of Congress Regarding the Affordable Connectivity Program

On March 4, 2024, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel wrote to congressional leaders to update them on the status of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). In her letter, the Chairwoman highlighted the impact of the February 8 freeze on ACP enrollments. "This enrollment freeze was necessary to begin the process of winding down the program, but already its effects are being felt by households that wish to enroll and are unable to do so.

Challenges Industry Stakeholders Face with Broadband Deployment

The Department of Commerce's Inspector General asked industry stakeholders to identify challenges they are facing with broadband programmatic deployment to unserved and underserved locations.

NTIA Asks the FCC to Remove Norfolk “CPA” from the 3.45 GHz Coordination Rules

The Department of Defense (DoD) recommends a modification to the coordination rules for the 3450-3550 MHz (3.45 GHz) band. Specifically, DoD recommends deleting the Norfolk (VA) Cooperative Planning Area (CPA). The Newport News, VA, Cooperative Planning Area/Periodic Use Area (CPA/PUA) geographically encompasses the entire area of the Norfolk CPA. The larger Newport News CPA/PUA commands the requisite coordination to protect DoD missions operating in the band, to include episodic DoD operations. The DoD therefore deems the Norfolk CPA redundant and unnecessary.

Rep Spanberger Leads Virginia Lawmakers in Working to Protect $30 Internet Discount for Virginia Families, Fund Affordable Connectivity Program

In a letter to the House Committee on Appropriations, Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-7), Don Beyer (D-VA-08), Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11), Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), Bobby Scott (D-VA-03), and Jennifer Wexton (D-VA-10) called for the appropriators to prioritize extending Affordable Connectivity Program funding and expressed the critical need the program meets by connecting hundreds of thousands of Virginia households with affordable, high-speed internet.

Broadband experts, community groups & internet providers urge FCC to free up rural communities to receive broadband subsidies

A coalition of nearly 70 broadband experts, internet service providers (ISPs), community leaders, and nonprofits wrote to the Federal Communications Commission with a request to grant a limited amnesty designed to prevent the exclusion of America’s least connected rural communities from upcoming federal broadband subsidies. Under the rules of the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, communities that are already covered by grants awarded under programs like the Rural Digital Opportunities Fund (RDOF) and Connect America Fund II (CAF II) are not eligible to receive BEAD fund

Chairwoman Rosenworcel’s Response to Members of Congress Regarding Starlink’s Application for the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund

On January 10, a group of lawmakers wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel to express concern about the FCC's decision to revoke SpaceX’s Starlink 2020 Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) award. In her February 6 response, Chairwoman Rosenworcel explained that RDOF featured a two-part application process, and that in the second phase of the process, winning bidders from the first phase were required to share technical and financial information with the FCC.

Color of Change Pens Letter to Biden-Harris Administration on Affordable Connectivity Program

Color Of Change is the nation’s largest online racial justice organization, representing millions of members nationwide. If your Administration does not take action to replenish funds for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), millions of families, including Black families, will lose access to affordable, high-speed internet along with all of its benefits. Broadband remains unaffordable for millions, including the 1 out of 5 Black people who do have home internet.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel Highlights Affordable Connectivity Program Enrollment Freeze

I am writing to keep you updated regarding the status of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).  I last wrote you on January 8, 2024 to explain that the remaining funding we have for the ACP—the largest and most successful broadband affordability program in our Nation’s history—is insufficient to support consumers who count on this program beyond April 2024.  My January 8, 2024 letter stressed that more funding is needed to keep the ACP in place, and that absent additional funding, the FCC would need to take steps to start orderly wind-down procedures for the ACP.

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel's Response to Senators Capito (R-WV) and Kennedy (R-LA) Regarding Pole Attachments

In late 2023, Sens Shelley Capito (R-WV) and John Kennedy (R-LA) wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel expressing concerns about the FCC's pole attachment proceedings. In January 2024, Chairwoman Rosenworcel responded, elaborating on what action the FCC has taken to improve the pole attachment process, including the establishment of the new Rapid Broadband Assessment Team.

Chairwoman Rosenworcel's Response to Senator Lujan Regarding Proposals to Modify the Contribution Base for the Universal Service Fund

On Dec 12, 2023, Sen Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel requesting input on proposals to modify the contribution base for the Universal Service Fund (USF).

Affordable Connectivity Program: Closing the Digital Divide

As organizations committed to positive change and public policy that advances opportunity, equity, and progress for all Americans, we urge you to prioritize funding to extend the landmark Affordable Connectivity Program in any new spending package or legislation. ACP is a true bipartisan success story – growing out of initiatives supported by the current and prior Administrations and the broad, national consensus in support of universal access to affordable broadband.

NTCA Applauds Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act, Urges Inclusion of Broadband Grant Tax Treatment Act

Congress has recently committed tens of billions of dollars to broadband deployment, but taxing broadband grants dramatically reduces their impact.

Chairwoman Rosenworcel's Response to Sen Schmitt (R-MO) regarding the Safeguarding and Securing the Open Internet Proceeding

In November 2023, Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) wrote a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel expressing concerns about the open internet proceedings, and requesting that Chairwoman Rosenworcel 1) "identify the specific authority granted by Congress that provides a legal justification to support the Commission’s decision to move forward on net neutrality;" 2) confirm her belief "that reclassifying BIAS as a Title II common carrier service would be a regulation of 'vast economic and political significance;'" 3) "provide a specific legal rationale as t

174 Mayors to Congress: Renew and Extend the Affordable Connectivity Program

We are writing to express our support for extending funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program, an essential program that over 23 million families rely on to access quality and affordable high-speed internet. The Affordable Connectivity Program has been a key tool in our efforts to eliminate the digital divide in America since it was created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021. The fact that the Affordable Connectivity Program was enacted into law as a part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is not lost on us – it’s a program that has wide support.

Chairwoman Rosenworcel's Response to Members of Congress Regarding the Affordable Connectivity Program

On Dec 15, 2023, Republican leadership from the Senate and House Commerce Committees wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel with questions and concerns abbout the FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel Responds to Congress Regarding the Status of the Affordable Connectivity Program

On January 8, 2024, Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel wrote a letter updating lawmakers on the status of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Launched in 2021 under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Affordable Connectivity Program is the largest internet affordability program in US history, and has enrolled nearly 23 million households, helping close the digital divide by bringing more households online. The FCC expects funding for the ACP to last through April 2024, and

NTIA Ex Parte Letter Regarding the FCC’s Section 706 Notice of Inquiry

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) met virtually with Federal Communications Commission staff on December 21, 2023 to discuss the Section 706 Report Notice of Inquiry. NTIA expressed its strong support for the FCC’s important work to assess whether broadband is being deployed to all Americans in a reasonable and timely fashion, and offered its assistance as the FCC works to identify appropriate methodologies and data sources for use in conducting this assessment.

Strengthening Digital Accessibility and the Management of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

This memorandum provides guidance to help agencies advance digital accessibility by maintaining an accessible Federal technology environment, promoting accessible digital experiences, and continuing the implementation of accessibility standards in accordance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Members of the public and Federal employees should have equitable access to government, regardless of ability. The prevalence of information technology and the growing necessity of it in daily life make digital accessibility a continuing imperative for Federal agencies.