Press Release

The FCC proposes a forfeiture of $220,210 against Kyle Traxler and Cleo Communications for apparently willfully and repeatedly engaging in conduct that violated the federal wire fraud statute and the FCC’s rules between on or about May 14, 2021 and on or about August 11, 2021. Cleo made apparent misrepresentations to gain FCC authorization to be a participating provider in the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program and then apparently used that authorization to defraud consumers using interstate wires.

Push-to-Talk (PTT) radios are first responders’ primary means of communication in an emergency. These two-way radios rely on Land Mobile Radio (LMR) networks to carry signals. PTT radios and LMR networks are reliable and secure, and fire, police, and other emergency response teams know these systems well. But voice radios are not enough anymore. Two-way radios can’t send pictures, blueprints, and maps and they can’t talk with units from other jurisdictions. Without these capabilities, communications could break down, jeopardizing rescue and response efforts.

The Federal Communications Commission announced it is committing nearly $159 million in two new funding rounds through the Emergency Connectivity Program, helping to close the Homework Gap. The funding supports applications from all three of the program’s application windows, supporting over 300,000 students across the country, including in Alabama, Guam, Kansas, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Texas, and West Virginia. Nearly $2 million from the first and second application windows will provide support in the upcoming school year for approximately 15 schools and 4 libraries.

Rep Brad Schneider (D-IL) re-introduced legislation to ensure critical online LGBTQ resources are not blocked at schools and public libraries. Currently, public schools and libraries that receive discounted telecommunications and internet rates through the Federal Communication Commission E-Rate Program must enforce an internet safety policy that in some cases leads to the blocking of useful LGBTQ resources.

The city of Amarillo (TX) announced a $24 million project with AT&T to build its fiber network to more than 22,000 customer locations throughout the city. The project proposes providing access to AT&T Fiber for homes, businesses and government agencies in the city center. The project is contingent upon funding approval by the city of Amarillo and a final contract between AT&T and the city. Extensive planning and engineering work will begin immediately upon execution of the contract.

Verizon will deliver enhanced connectivity to approximately 80 Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools operated by Native American tribes on 64 reservations in 13 states. Verizon’s network investment across diverse tribal lands is expected to lead to reliable, high-speed internet service and connected devices for thousands of students. The work will support BIE's mission to provide quality education opportunities from early childhood through life in accordance with a tribe's needs for cultural and economic well-being.

Rep Yvette Clarke (D-NY) introduced the Generating Resilient and Energy Efficient Network (GREEN) Communications Act (H.R.8178), legislation that aims to harden our communications networks against climate change and natural disasters, while simultaneously reducing the carbon footprint of communications infrastructure.

A respected communications researcher with expertise in areas such as communication policy and regulation, comparative media systems, and rural broadband — an especially important topic in Pennsylvania — has been selected to join the Donald P Bellisario College of Communications as the Pioneers Chair in the Department of Telecommunications. Christopher Ali, who has testified before Congress about federal broadband policies and authored two books, will join Penn State at the start of the 2022-23 academic year. He previously served as an associate professor at the University of Virginia.

Kansas Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland announced that Jade Piros de Carvalho will serve as the new Director of the Office of Broadband Development. Jade Piros de Carvalho is a seasoned broadband executive with experience in government affairs, community relations, business development and marketing for the Kansas-based rural broadband provider, IdeaTek. Along with managing advocacy efforts for broadband expansion policy, Piros de Carvalho also spearheaded digital equity efforts for the company.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that it has awarded Michigan State University over $10 million from the Broadband Infrastructure Program, part of the Biden Administration’s Internet for All initiative. The grant, totaling $10.5 million, will fund middle mile fiber infrastructure expansion in partnership with last mile internet service providers in the state of Michigan. The project will take place in 74 counties, enabling a total of 103 access points with almost 70,000 census blocks and over 120,000 unserved locations.