The Robert W. Deutsch Foundation (RWDF) submitted comments to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) highlighting the need to connect broadband infrastructure programs to systemic inequity. In doing so, the Foundation elevated the needs of BIPOC communities who face compounded social inequalities in an increasingly digitized world. We believe a successful Bipartisan Infrastructure Broadband Program must require that all programs center racial equity in their outcomes, measurement, and evaluation goals. To this end, RWDF’s comments urge the NTIA to ensure programmatic support centers the communities who have lived with the racial inequality built into our infrastructure for far too long.  These communities now stand to gain the most through an equitable distribution of resources. In short, broadband dollars should flow directly to: BIPOC communities, low-wealth communities; refugee, asylee and migrant communities; communities with mixed immigration status, or speakers of languages other than English; communities with high levels of incarceration, rentry, or youth/adults under state supervision; disabled communities, seniors, and more.

The Technology Policy Institute recommends that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA):

• Offer a platform that states could choose to use off-the-shelf to distribute funds. This would create a safe harbor for states by coming pre-approved and would let them avoid the costs involved in designing their own programs.
• Require states to make public all information on applications—both funded and unfunded.
• Conduct monthly progress reports based on objective measures that allow cross-state comparisons.
• In conjunction with state broadband offices, design experiments to learn more about how different types of programs affect low-income broadband adoption and use.
• Serve as an intermediary to reduce transaction costs given the large increase in demand for workers, equipment, poles, and other inputs.

The Rural Wireless Association submitted comments to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) regarding the agency's implementation of several broadband infrastructure programs created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Recommendations include:

• Deployment of wireless networks must be a major focus.
• Deployment requirements should allow flexibility to serve beyond populations.
• NTIA needs to ensure that rural providers have sufficient access to the available workforce.
• Robust backhaul in rural areas is critical for the expansion of broadband coverage.

US Sens John Thune (R-SD), Tina Smith (D-MN), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced the Connect Unserved Americans Act. This bipartisan legislation would ensure that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) targets funding through the ReConnect Program to areas most in need of reliable broadband services. Additionally, it would enhance the coordination between federal agencies that are disbursing broadband funding to prevent the overbuilding of existing broadband networks. “Our bipartisan legislation would help bridge the digital divide by ensuring federal broadband funding goes to truly unserved areas,” said Sen Thune. Sen Smith stated, "Broadband is the infrastructure of the 21st Century – it isn’t just nice, it’s necessary if we’re going to build an economy that works for everyone." In October 2021, Thune and Smith co-led a bipartisan letter urging USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to continue to grant awards to areas where there is a higher percentage of unserved households, increase USDA’s coordination efforts with other agencies administering broadband programs, and give equal treatment to all applicants.

A new AT&T free Internet plan will leverage the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), offering speeds of up to 100 Mbps symmetrical where available. The Access from AT&T program used to offer a 10 Mbps plan for $5 to $10 per month. AT&T says those plans will remain, but customers can opt-in to the new free Internet plan leveraging the ACP. Customers can also apply ACP funds towards mobile service provided through AT&T prepaid or Cricket Wireless plans. “The new Access from AT&T plan provides improved speeds, no data cap and works in concert with the federal ACP benefit,” said Cheryl Choy, SVP of Broadband Management & Strategy at AT&T. “Free internet service can be the difference in getting homework done, being able to apply for a job, or receiving medical care.” AT&T customers can opt to get the free internet service on plans of up to 100 Mbps, or apply the ACP benefit towards more expensive plans. AT&T offers speeds of up to 5 Gbps in certain markets. T-Mobile also introduced a ‘free’ service through the ACP earlier in 2022.

In the past year, the growing demand to open America’s airwaves for 5G and next-generation connectivity has only increased, bringing national attention to spectrum’s role in closing the digital divide and solidifying global telecommunications leadership. Yet, as demand has increased, the availability of much-needed commercial spectrum has waned, putting more pressure on the nation’s spectrum experts at the Federal Communications Commission to identify and unleash different bands — like the 12 GHz spectrum band — for new uses. As the FCC, under recently confirmed Chair Jessica Rosenworcel, looks to advance its agenda in 2022, it must act upon its clear authority and responsibility to modernize its rules, opening up key mid-band spectrum like that in the 12 GHz band for two-way terrestrial use and 5G mobile services. The FCC has the tools it needs to chart a smart path for America’s spectrum and 5G future — an important goal for the Biden Administration’s priorities and the American people’s needs alike. The FCC must seize this opportunity and act within its authority to move forward with the 12 GHz band without further delay.

[Chip Pickering is CEO of INCOMPAS.]

The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society is proud to share the news that Benton Senior Counselor Andrew Jay Schwartzman has been awarded the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School Law Alumni Society’s highest honor, the James Wilson Award, “for a lifetime of public service.” In a February 3 virtual ceremony, Penn Law Dean Theodore Ruger said that Schwartzman—a member of Penn’s 1968 undergraduate class and the law school class of 1971—“is known as the dean of public interest communications attorneys and is a nationally recognized expert on media and telecommunications policy.” Ruger added, “He was one of the first public interest lawyers to specialize in media and communications, and his policy portfolio speaks to his influence and his impact.” "It has been Benton’s honor to support Andy and his work over the past eight years," said Benton Institute for Broadband & Society Executive Director Adrianne B Furniss. "Over our long history, Benton has always promoted communications in the public interest. Andy's career demonstrates how public interest communications law ensures that the public has effective, full-time representation in civil rights, civil liberties, and regulatory matters." The Benton Institute will celebrate Schwartzman's distinguished career at its 40th-anniversary event in Washington (DC) on April 6.