Remember the bit about the 12 GHz band that 5G proponents were using to advance their argument at the Federal Communications Commission? The one about “no federal encumbrances”? That seems to be rising to the top in the wake of all the recent problems associated with C-band spectrum. Granted, the 12 GHz band has its own set of challenges for the 5G for 12 GHz Coalition, which represents Dish Network, among others. In 2021 the coalition pointed out the advantages of the 12 GHz band while commending the FCC for making 100 MHz available in the 3.45 GHz band. One of their biggest challenges is Starlink, the satellite service being deployed by SpaceX founder Elon Musk. Plus, there are other issues, such as whether an auction should be held to give players other than Dish a stab at the 12 GHz band for 5G.  Still, the 5G for 12 GHz Coalition pointed out that the 12 GHz band is the “only remaining unencumbered 5G spectrum” between 6 and 24 GHz that can meet the demand for mobile broadband. It represents the greatest opportunity to propel the US into “global telecom leadership,” providing more capacity for Wi-Fi and spectrum sharing along the way. With 500 MHz in the band, it’s five times the spectrum that was offered in the 3.45 GHz auction.

Mediacom struck a settlement agreement with the city of West Des Moines (IA) to end a more than year-long scuffle over what the operator claimed was an illegal deal between the municipality and Google Fiber. The exact terms of the settlement were not disclosed, but the deal will allow the municipality to move ahead with the construction of a $50 million city-wide conduit network. Mediacom’s Senior Vice President of government and public relations Thomas Larsen said it will allow the operator to tap into that conduit infrastructure “where we need it” and overlash aerial assets in other spots to accelerate its 10G network upgrade there. Mediacom’s dispute with the city dates back to 2020 when city officials struck a deal to bring Google Fiber on as the first tenant on the aforementioned conduit network. That arrangement was announced in July that year. Mediacom filed a lawsuit against the city the following December, claiming the deal with Google Fiber was illegal. It asked a district court to order the city to put the conduit project on hold. A trial was scheduled to begin in April of 2022. In May 2021, Mediacom took the matter to the Federal Communications Commission asking the agency to review the arrangement between the city and Google Fiber. The settlement deal must still be approved by a judge, but if it is accepted Larsen confirmed it will resolve the lawsuit and Mediacom will withdraw its FCC petition.

With billions of dollars set to flow to internet connectivity, lawmakers are questioning how the Biden administration plans to coordinate spending them. In January 20 hearing before the House Agriculture Committee, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack fielded several questions from lawmakers of both parties about how the department has set up its latest round of $1.15 billion in broadband loan and grant funding through its ReConnect program, which will accept applications through February 22. The infrastructure law President Joe Biden signed in November 2021 slated an additional $2 billion for ReConnect. Some House lawmakers peppered Vilsack with questions about USDA’s new points system for prioritizing applicants. Others worried about USDA’s changes to what counts as an “underserved” eligible population, which now means any area lacking 100 Megabits/second download over 20 upload speeds, well above the FCC broadband definition of 25/3 Mbps. The agriculture secretary vigorously defended his department’s points set-up as balanced, reflecting a mix of priorities. “There is a need for additional capacity, which we’ve learned during the course of the pandemic,” he told one lawmaker of higher favored speeds. “It’s equipping rural America to basically have the kind of broadband access that is meaningful and can actually make a difference.” 25/3 Mbps won’t be enough for future precision agriculture and distance learning needs, he added, noting points awarded for serving rural and economically struggling areas and vulnerable populations like seniors can “offset” an applicant’s perceived disadvantages and keep steering dollars toward the neediest communities. “This is an ongoing, iterative process and we learn,” Vilsack told lawmakers, saying criteria could evolve in future funding rounds.