The Federal Communications Commission and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) have recommended filing dates for bulk challenges to the National Broadband Map, which is updated twice yearly. But stakeholders hadn’t seen similar guidance from either agency about individual challenges. An FCC spokesperson said that individual challenges could be addressed more quickly than bulk challenges – at least when it comes to availability challenges. Bulk challenges can only be filed by states, service providers, and certain other entities that can include multiple challenges in a single filing. An individual challenge is filed through the interactive National Broadband Map by clicking on a specific location and entering certain details. Regarding the timing of availability challenges from individuals, the spokesperson noted that after a preliminary review by commission staff, fixed availability challenges are sent to providers, usually within only a few days. Providers then have 60 days to either concede the challenge (in which case the provider’s availability at challenged locations will be removed from the map) or to provide evidence to dispute the challenge.

Fourteen Maine counties and 73 communities will benefit from $20 million in grant funding from the Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) as part of its Reach Me Line Extension Program that will expand reliable, fast and affordable internet. The Reach Me grant funding will be matched by $13 million in private investment and will extend broadband service to 6,300 potential subscriber locations across 14 counties. Through this program, MCA worked directly with nine internet service providers (ISPs) to identify portions of their existing networks that would benefit from line extensions. These new connections will provide service to all locations in each area currently unserved by high-speed internet. Maine Connectivity Authority received over $60 million of funding requests for the program, which was designed to leverage and optimize existing ISP infrastructure with a focus on deploying funding where needed most. New connections provided through the Reach Me Line Extension program will provide high-speed broadband service at levels of at least 100/100 Mbps. Service providers receiving awards must participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which guarantees internet access to low-income households for no more than the fully federally subsidized amount of $30 per month. Funding for the Reach Me Program was made available through the American Rescue Plan Capital Projects Fund. [see awardees at link below]

AT&T's fixed wireless access (FWA) product is called Internet Air and sells for $55/month. AT&T is currently offering Internet Air to a limited set of copper-based customers in places where AT&T has wireless coverage and the capacity to deliver a “high-quality” customer experience. There will be places where a fixed wireless service will enable a better experience for customers than their existing copper-based service can provide, according to AT&T. Eligible customers will receive direct mail and email that instructs how to migrate to AT&T Internet Air from their current copper-based service. There are no data caps or overage fees, and customers do not need to be AT&T wireless customers in order to get the Internet Air service.

Too often policymakers, political leaders, contractors, and consultants want to tell communities just how broadband should work for their unserved and underserved. But there should be a Prime Directive, borrowing from Star Trek, that every application presented to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) and Digital Equity Act (DEA) grant programs should bear evidence of an aggressive, community-level needs analysis conducted in all eight “covered populations” identified in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. “We are not telling folks, we're asking them… ‘These resources - how can we be of assistance to you?’” said Deb Socia, President and CEO of The Enterprise Center, a Chattanooga nonprofit that works at the intersection of technology and inequality. “With this [telehealth] project, there’ll be a large community conversation where people tell us they need from us. Too often I’ve watched people go into a neighborhood and try to make change. But change has to come from the people who live there.”

The Supreme Court will consider whether the First Amendment prohibits a public official from blocking constituents from personal social media accounts when those accounts are used to communicate with the public. The court took two cases for the term that begins in October 2023 to decide a digital-age issue that has been active in lower courts. In 2021, the justices dismissed a similar challenge to President Donald Trump’s efforts to block critics on Twitter, after he lost reelection and his Twitter account was suspended. The court’s decision will have implications nationwide for how public officials use social media accounts, which according to many lower courts function as public bulletin boards for officials and inform constituents about the business of government.