The Federal Communications Commission universal service support fund's revenue base has been shrinking while the payouts have risen. As a result, the contribution factor, an ad valorem tax on the revenue base, rose from 16.7% in 2017 to 21.2% in 2020. We propose two solutions to the funding problem: A near-term funding reform proposal that widens the revenue base by replacing the current definition of assessable services (interstate and international) with a more inclusive definition of all communication services that have a telecommunications component. A longer-term strategy is to expand the revenue base to include basic utility network revenues. This proposal assumes that it is cost effective to develop one physical broadband network (landline and wireless) in high-cost areas and use the latest software-defined technologies to allow utilities to either split the physical network's functionalities into independent or cooperative virtual networks.

To gauge the deployment rates of advanced services by its member companies, for nearly two decades NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association (NTCA) has conducted its Broadband/Internet Availability Survey. This latest broadband survey is a follow-up to similar surveys conducted in recent years by NTCA and seeks to build upon the results of those surveys. This year’s survey asked about technologies used to provide broadband service in ILEC service areas, broadband availability and subscription rates, anchor institutions, fixed wireless broadband services, competitive broadband services, mobile voice and broadband data service, competition/marketing, fiber deployment, the impact of COVID-19 on customer payments, internet backbone and middle mile connections, VoIP, and video service. The average service area identified by respondents is approximately 2,063 square miles. Nearly half (49.5%) report having a service area of less than 500 square miles, while just over one-quarter (25.8%) have a service area between 500-1,999 square miles, and a proportion slightly smaller (24.7%) have a service area of 2,000 square miles or larger. Respondents indicated that they use a variety of platforms within their respective service areas to provide broadband service to their customers. On average, seven in 10 (69.9%) serviceable locations are served by fiber to the home (FTTH) in 2020, while an average of 21.2% are served via copper loops. Fiber to the node (FTTN) is used to serve an average of 5.8% serviceable locations, cable modems 1.4%, unlicensed fixed wireless 1.3% and licensed fixed wireless 0.5%. On average, respondents indicated the following percentage of their customer base can receive maximum downstream speeds of:

• Greater than/equal to 1 Gig: 45.1%
• Greater than/equal to 100 Mbps but less than 1 Gig: 22.7%
• Greater than/equal to 25 Mbps but less than 100 Mbps: 12.6%
• Greater than/equal to 10 Mbps but less than 25 Mbps: 12.1%
• Greater than/equal to 4 Mbps but less than 10 Mbps: 5.3%
• Greater than/equal to 200 kbps but less than 4 Mbps: 2.3%

Respondents’ customers subscribe to the following maximum downstream speeds:

• 7.9% subscribe to speeds greater than/equal to 1 Gig.
• 20.2% subscribe to greater than/equal to 100 Mbps but less than 1 Gig.
• 35.8% subscribe to greater than/equal to 25 Mbps but less than 100 Mbps.
• 21.3% subscribe to greater than/equal to 10 Mbps but less than 25 Mbps.
• 10.5% subscribe greater than/equal to 4 Mbps but less than 10 Mbps.
• 4.3% subscribe to service greater than/equal to 200 kbps but less than 4 Mbps.

During a Thanksgiving like no other, millions of Americans chose to forgo holiday travel and instead use family video calls to get as close as safely possible to loved ones. Unfortunately, this connection was not an option for many Maryland families because of a pervasive and growing digital divide in our state — one of many added challenges facing disconnected Marylanders this year. This digital divide isn’t only about staying connected to loved ones; it is also the difference between a student keeping pace with classmates or missing out entirely. This inequitable access means some Marylanders can safely participate in remote doctors’ visits while others suffer without medical care — until they end up in emergency rooms. It means that businesses cannot launch in disconnected areas of the state, as it is nearly unthinkable in this day to start a business without reliable, affordable Internet. For these and many other reasons, sustaining and building thriving local economies and healthy communities mean ensuring every Marylander has access to high-speed Internet. Gov. Larry Hogan (R-MD) created the Office of Rural Broadband in 2017, and though it has done important work, more support and coordination are needed. The problems are bigger than just those affecting our rural jurisdictions. Increased deployment of broadband Internet will improve long-term quality of life for all Marylanders and will ensure that we remain economically competitive — locally and globally. Because this is a statewide problem, we need a statewide office that will pull together private and public partners, agencies and county governments to identify the gaps and implement affordable, reliable, high-speed access for all.

[Brooke Lierman, a Democrat, represents Baltimore in the Maryland House of Delegates]

We know it’s tough right now. But, especially so, for local community leaders who must wear multiple hats and try to solve the connectivity problem for everyone. “Most of us are a bit overwhelmed and getting caught up with back-to-back-to-back video calls,” said Tom Stephenson, Community Technology Advisor, Connected Nation. “On more than one occasion, I’ve been on a regional or community call when one of the leaders forgets which meeting they are in and starts discussing a totally different subject matter out of the blue. They forget what group they are talking to simply because they’re juggling so much.” For every community—whether urban or rural—ensuring internet connectivity for everyone is a challenge many local leaders have been chipping away at for years. However, when the pandemic forced most of us home, there was an urgency placed on finding ways to connect more families, businesses, and community organizations as soon as possible. Connected Nation, through its Connected Community Engagement Program, has worked with nearly 400 communities and surveyed more than 30,000 individuals nationwide to do one thing—develop Technology Action Plans that are specific to a community or region’s needs. The Connected program’s Technology Action Plans leverage input and data provided by residents, businesses, community organizations, and others to identify problem areas and solutions for expanding high-speed internet (broadband) access a community, county, or region.

Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr suggested that the agency should jam through rules to limit tech's liability shield before President Donald Trump leaves office. Commissioner Carr told reporters he believes the FCC could avoid a "lengthy process" for writing rules to curb Section 230's reach, noting a path for quickly instituting "interpretive rules" outlined on Twitter by tech policy lawyer Berin Szóka, who opposes the idea and believes it wouldn't stand up in court. Carr's idea would be another path to damaging Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, a foundational law for the modern internet, after Trump's attempt to repeal it via must-pass defense legislation stalled out.