Tuesday, January 5, 2021
Headlines Daily Digest
FCC Seeks Public Input On New $3.2 Billion Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
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On December 27, 2020, President Donald Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Consolidated Appropriations Act or Act). Section 904 of Division N – Additional Coronavirus Response and Relief, Title IX – Broadband Internet Access Service, in the Consolidated Appropriations Act establishes an Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund of $3.2 billion and directs the Federal Communications Commission to use that fund to establish an Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, under which eligible households may receive a discount off the cost of broadband service and certain connected devices during an emergency period relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, and participating providers can receive a reimbursement for such discounts. The Act also directs the FCC to provide a public comment period of 20 days and a public reply comment period of 20 days before establishing the rules for this program.3 By this public notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) seeks comment on the provision of assistance from the Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund and through the Emergency Benefit Program and other related matters, consistent with the Congressional directive. In structuring the program, the FCC seeks input on a range of issues including:
- Which providers can participate in the program and what do such providers need to do to elect to participate?
- How should the FCC set up an expedited process for approving broadband providers for areas where they are not eligible telecommunications carriers?
- How should the Commission and providers track participating households and verify that they are eligible?
- What services and connected devices are eligible for reimbursement from the program?
- How should the Commission structure the reimbursement process? What rules are needed to ensure appropriate service on Tribal lands?
- How should the Commission and participating providers promote awareness of the program?
- What requirements are needed for robust auditing and enforcement of federal rules?
- What reporting requirements are needed both during the program and at its conclusion?
Comments Due: January 25, 2021 Reply Comments Due: February 16, 2021 (WC Docket No. 20-445)
January 4, 2021 is the first day applicants can submit Health care Fund and Telecom Program funding requests (FCC Forms 462 and 466) for FY2021. The filing window period for FY2021 is January 4 – April 1, 2021. This means that you must submit your funding requests (FCC Forms 462 or 466) as early as January 4 and no later than 11:59 p.m. ET April 1, 2021 to be considered to receive funding for FY2021. USAC highly encourages you to submit your application forms as early as possible in the filing window. Other application forms for FY2021 (FCC Forms 460, 461, or 465) are accepted prior to January to begin the application process.
The new Congress just gaveled in Jan 3, but top lawmakers are already hashing out their priorities on tech policy. There’s bipartisan appetite for more broadband moves. Lawmakers made increasing broadband access a priority in the latest round of COVID-19 relief talks, allocating billions for the effort, but their work might not be through. Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH) said one of his top priorities will be to “keep expanding rural broadband.” “It's so essential to make sure that we have it across the entire country,” he said. That’s one major area where Washington may be able to come together, with President-elect Joe Biden and Democratic leaders eyeing their own broadband package. Other things to keep an eye on: 1) The avalanche of antitrust action could be far from over. 2) Revamping Section 230 is a top target — if Congress can figure out how. 3) Lawmakers are hoping something shakes up privacy talks.
Although Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai has yet to issue any plans for narrowing the liability protections for tech companies, as President Donald Trump and some conservatives want, he’s been keeping busy. Chairman Pai is attempting to knock out objectives by circulating proposals for votes rather than holding formal ones during the FCC’s last official meeting under him on Jan. 13. Among the items he’s circulating: beginning a rulemaking looking at ways to free up 12 GHz satellite airwaves for 5G wireless use, despite pushback from SpaceX CEO Elon Musk; approving rules for auctioning off some of the 2.5 GHz airwaves, which Chairman Pai has said he wants to happen in the first half of this year; and finalizing details around the grantees for a $100 million telehealth pilot. [See FCC's Items on Circulation]
Benton (www.benton.org) provides the only free, reliable, and non-partisan daily digest that curates and distributes news related to universal broadband, while connecting communications, democracy, and public interest issues. Posted Monday through Friday, this service provides updates on important industry developments, policy issues, and other related news events. While the summaries are factually accurate, their sometimes informal tone may not always represent the tone of the original articles. Headlines are compiled by Kevin Taglang (headlines AT benton DOT org) and Robbie McBeath (rmcbeath AT benton DOT org) — we welcome your comments.
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