Public Notice

FCC Revises 2024 Urban Rate Survey Broadband Services Benchmarks and Waiver of Implementation Date to February 1

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau and the Office of Economics and Analytics announced revised 2024 reasonable comparability benchmarks for fixed broadband services for eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) that are subject to broadband public interest obligations.

Ohio BEAD Challenge Process and Grant Program

The third and fourth round of the Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Grant (ORBEG) program will be implemented using the $793 million in federal Broadband, Equity and Deployment (BEAD) Program funds which were allocated to Ohio by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) in June 2023. A prerequisite to executing the ORBEG-BEAD grant program is conducting the Ohio BEAD challenge process.

Conclusion of RDOF Auction 904 Application Review

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB), in conjunction with the Office of Economics and Analytics (OEA), announced the conclusion of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund auction (Auction 904) long-form application review.

Chairwoman Announces Advisory Committee on Forward-Looking Tech Issues

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced that the FCC will re-establish the Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council (CSRIC), with its primary focus to include how artificial intelligence and machine learning can enhance the security, reliability, and integrity of communications networks in a nondiscriminatory, transparent, and socially responsible manner. The Chairwoman also plans to task the next CSRIC with addressing forward-looking issues including the security and reliability risks unique to emerging 6G networks and the reliab

Wavelength's Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Bids in Default Announced

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB or Bureau) and the Office of Economics and Analytics (OEA) announced that Wavelength LLC, a Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF or Auction 904) long-form applicant, has defaulted. The Bureau has concluded its review of Wavelength’s long-form application in Arizona.

Broadband Data Collection Window Opens January 2, 2024

The Federal Communications Commission's Broadband Data Task Force announced that the Broadband Data Collection (BDC) filing window for submitting broadband availability and other data as of December 31, 2023, will open on January 2, 2024.

FCC Grants 8 Broadband Segment Applications to PDV Spectrum Holding Company

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (Bureau) granted eight 900 MHz broadband segment license applications to PDV Spectrum Holding Company in Polk County (GA), Racine and Eau Claire Counties (WI), and Dakota, Scott, Sherburne, Wright, and Anoka Counties (MN). PDV is a wholly owned subsidiary of Anterix, the largest holder of 900 MHz spectrum nationwide, has been courting utilities that are interested in the spectrum for private LTE as they look to modernize and future-proof critical power grid infrastructure. On May 13, 2020, the FCC realigned the 900 M

2023 Merger Guidelines

These Merger Guidelines identify the procedures and enforcement practices the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission most often use to investigate whether mergers violate the antitrust laws. The Merger Guidelines set forth several different analytical frameworks to assist the Agencies in assessing whether a merger presents sufficient risk to warrant an enforcement action.

Results of 2024 Urban Rate Survey

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) and the Office of Economics and Analytics (Office) announced the 2024 reasonable comparability benchmarks for fixed voice and broadband services for eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) that are subject to broadband public interest obligations.

FCC Reaffirms Decision to Reject Starlink Application for Nearly $900 Million in Subsidies

The Federal Communications Commission reaffirmed its Wireline Bureau’s prior decision to reject the long-form application of Starlink to receive public support through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) program, based on the applicant’s failure to meet the program requirements. Starlink had sought a review of a decision and asked the FCC to find that Starlink is reasonably capable of meeting its performance obligations in its winning bid areas. Starlink argued that (1) the Bureau disregarded FCC policy and the long-form application review process by applying heightened scrutiny to St

FCC Renews Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States

The Federal Communications Commission renewed the charter of the Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States (the Task Force) for a period expiring on January 1, 2025. The purpose of the Task Force is to:

FCC Proposes $22 Million in Fines for Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Defaults

In this Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (NAL), the Federal Communications Commission identifies two Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) Phase I Auction (Auction 904) applicants that defaulted on their bids for support on August 10, 2022, and May 23, 2023, in apparent violation of the FCC’s rules (see applicants below). In light of the applicants’ defaults spanning 7,482 Census Block Groups (CBGs), this NAL proposes forfeitures for each of the two Auction 904 defaulters. The proposed forfeitures assessed here total $22,446,000.

Limited Waiver of Engineering Certification for Broadband Data Collection Extended with Conditions

The Federal Communications Commission's Broadband Data Task Force, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, the Wireline Competition Bureau, and the Office of Economics and Analytics responded to a Petition for Extension of Waiver filed by the Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) and USTelecom – The Broadband Association (USTelecom).

Request for Proposal: Broadband Mapping and Gap Analysis in Appalachian Region

Connect Humanity invites experienced vendors to submit proposals for Mapping and Gap Analysis services in the Appalachian Region, specifically related to broadband demand across 12 states (Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia). The purpose of this project is to create AGOL environments for each of our grantees on which they can begin designing proposed broadband network builds.

FCC Provides Guidance to High-Cost Support Recipients Regarding Engagement with States and Tribal Governments

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau provided guidance to Enhanced Alternative Connect America Cost Model (Enhanced A-CAM), Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF), Connect America Fund (CAF) Phase II auction, Bringing Puerto Rico Together Fund, and Connect USVI Fund support recipients (collectively, high-cost support recipients or service providers) regarding their coordination with state broadband offices and Tribal entities to determine the eligibility of locations for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD Program), and to avoid duplicati

North Carolina Broadband Division Publishes Guidance for Broadband Pole Replacement Program

Final guidance for North Carolina's Broadband Pole Replacement Program as part of ongoing efforts to connect more North Carolinians to affordable, reliable high-speed internet. This program, established with $100 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, will reimburse high-speed internet service providers for eligible pole replacement costs in connection with qualified projects.

FCC Proposes E-Rate Support for Wi-Fi Hotspots

The Federal Communications Commission initiated a proceeding to address the ongoing remote learning needs of today’s students, school staff, and library patrons through the E-Rate program and to ensure the millions who have benefitted from the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) do not fall back onto the wrong side of the digital divide once the program ends. Specifically, the FCC proposes to permit eligible schools and libraries to receive E-Rate support for Wi-Fi hotspots and wireless Internet services that can be used off-premises.

FTC Raises AI-related Competition and Consumer Protection Issues

In a comment submitted to the US Copyright Office, the Federal Trade Commission identified several issues raised by the development and deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that implicate competition and consumer protection policy, noting the FTC’s role in monitoring the impact of generative AI and vigorously enforcing the law as appropriate to protect competition and consumers. The comment explains that the FTC has an interest in copyright-related issues beyond questions about the scope of rights and the extent of liability under the copyright laws.

Congressional Budget Office Scores the NTIA Reauthorization Act of 2023

The NTIA Reauthorization Act of 2023 (H.R. 4510) would authorize the appropriation of $62 million for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to carry out its operations. The bill would codify some existing responsibilities and programs of the NTIA, such as the Office of Public Safety Communications and the Office of International Affairs. H.R. 4510 also would require the NTIA to carry out other responsibilities including a cybersecurity literacy campaign and studying the cybersecurity of mobile service networks.

FCC Announces ACP High-Cost Area Benefit Application Submission Timing and Processes

The Federal Communications Commission established a mechanism by which a participating provider in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) can apply to offer an enhanced monthly discount of up to $75 for broadband services to ACP-enrolled households in a high-cost area, upon the provider’s showing of particularized economic hardship. Now the FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau provides additional information on the application process and announces that ACP providers may begin submitting applications on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 seeking approval to offer the high-cost area benefit in a gi

FCC Launches Inquiry to Increase Minimum Broadband Speed Benchmark, Set Gigabit Future Goal

The Federal Communications Commission launched an inquiry to kick off the agency’s evaluation of the state of broadband across the country, as required by section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

BEAD Letter of Credit Waiver

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the agency responsible for administering the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, provided notice of a conditional programmatic waiver of the letter of credit requirements set forth in the BEAD Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The BEAD NOFO requires Eligible Entities to establish a model letter of credit substantially similar to the model letter of credit established by the Commission in connection with the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund.

Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grant Program Notice of Funding Availability #008

The Iowa Department of Management received 91 applications for round #8 of the Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grant Program which is designed to reduce or eliminate areas of the State of Iowa that are unserved or undeserved by broadband service. Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) #008 made $148,960,000 available for broadband expansion in Iowa. Funds for this grant round have been allocated from the American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) Capital Projects Fund ("CPF") to provide a substantial infusion of resources to help turn the tide on the pandemic, address its economic fallout, and lay the f