This guidebook provides an in-depth look at successful models and recurring themes across digital inclusion coalitions, accompanied by best practices, lessons learned, and specific recommendations from the field. The guidebook is intended for individuals and organizations who are committed to advancing digital equity in their community and who recognize the value of coalitions in achieving that goal. Key themes include:

• how coalitions form and are structured 
• keys to successful coalition operations
• ways coalitions adapt over time to maintain effectiveness and sustainability    

Dish Network Chairman Charlie Ergen said unexpected technical issues have delayed the rollout of his company’s new fifth-generation mobile network but vowed to have basic service ready before a government-ordered coverage deadline hits in June 2022. “We’re six months behind, and it’s my fault,” Ergen said. “We just didn’t anticipate that we’d have to do as much on the technical side.” Ergen cited the complexity of integrating equipment and software from a hodgepodge of different suppliers and issues with preparing enhanced 911 emergency service among the causes of the delays. Dish has staked its future on a built-from-scratch network using components from several niche technology providers instead of relying on all-in-one suppliers such as Ericsson AB or Nokia Corp. The telecommunications company launched a pilot 5G service around Las Vegas in late 2021, but work fell behind schedule and it has yet to offer high-speed cellular connections in other markets. Executives said that they plan to make service ready in 25 major metropolitan markets before spreading to other regions.

The National Association of Broadcasters told the Federal Communications Commission that the industry opposes a proposal from the Forest Service to assess an annual programmatic fee on communication uses to cover the Forest Service’s costs of administering its communications use program. “NAB believes the Forest Service’s current proposal is unlawful, inequitable, and undermines the public interest. Citing the ‘need for wireless connectivity for teleworking, tele-education, telehealth, and telemedicine,’ and the need for the Forest Service to ‘do its part by ensuring it has the necessary staff and expertise to administer its communications use program,’ the Proposed Rule seeks to collect an additional ‘annual programmatic administrative fee of $1,400 per communications use authorization for wireless uses such as television and radio broadcasting, cellular telephone, and microwave’ to cover the costs of administering the Forest Service’s communications use program." NAB said the proposed fee would increase the total fee liability for existing broadcast uses serving smaller communities by nearly eight-fold in some cases, threatening their economic viability and potentially resulting in the loss of essential broadcast services in rural and remote areas.