Friday, July 17, 2020
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FCC Improves Broadband Data and Maps to Bridge the Digital Divide
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America’s Monopoly Problem: Why It Matters and What We Can Do About It
Illinois Gov Pritzker announces $50 million more in emergency funding to help close 'digital divide'
Connectivity in the Time of COVID: Will Congress Ever Close the Digital Divide?
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The Federal Communications Commission adopted new rules for the improved collection and mapping of broadband availability data through the Digital Opportunity Data Collection that will better identify connectivity gaps across the country and help advance the FCC’s ongoing efforts to close the digital divide. The FCC is also seeking comment on proposals to ensure the accuracy of the new broadband coverage maps by creating multiple paths for consumers, along with state, local, and Tribal governments and other entities, to provide feedback on the maps directly to the FCC.
July 16's Report and Order builds on the FCC’s approach to broadband mapping adopted in Aug 2019, which Congress largely endorsed when it enacted the Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability (DATA) Act. The Order implements key provisions of the Broadband DATA Act, including requiring fixed and mobile providers to submit standardized broadband availability maps and taking steps to develop a common dataset of homes and businesses where fixed broadband networks could be deployed, over which service providers’ broadband availability maps will be overlaid.
In the Further Notice, the FCC seeks comment on proposals for processes for consumers, governmental entities, and other parties to challenge the availability data represented in the broadband maps and additional processes for verifying broadband availability data submitted by providers. The Further Notice also invites comment on targeted reforms to the FCC Form 477 subscribership data that broadband and voice providers are required to file biannually, and implementing other requirements of the Broadband DATA Act.
The Federal Communications Commission took further steps to protect the nation’s communications networks from security risks. Specifically, the FCC began integrating portions of the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act (Secure Networks Act), which was enacted in March 2020, into its existing supply chain rulemaking proceeding. In that proceeding, the FCC, in Nov 2019, unanimously adopted a ban on the use of Universal Service Fund (USF) support to purchase, obtain, or maintain any equipment or services from companies posing a national security threat to communications networks or the communications supply chain.
July 16’s Declaratory Ruling finds that the FCC has already fulfilled one of its obligations under the Secure Networks Act. In particular, the FCC finds that, by adopting its Nov 2019 ban on USF support for equipment and services produced or provided by companies that pose a national security threat, the agency has substantially implemented its obligation under the Secure Networks Act to prohibit the use of federal subsidies for covered communications equipment and services.
The accompanying Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeks public comment on implementing various aspects of the Secure Networks Act, including proposals to: (1) create and maintain the list of covered communications equipment and services required by the statute; (2) ban the use of federal subsidies, including USF funding, for any communications equipment or services placed on this list; (3) require all providers of advanced communications services to report on whether they use any covered communications equipment or services; and (4) prevent waste, fraud, and abuse in the reimbursement program that is required by the statute to remove and replace insecure equipment.
The Federal Communications Commission either did or didn't vote to allow cable operators to charge leased access providers a tier-specific rate, but it was unclear what the vote meant (Leased access is the requirement that cable operators over a certain size lease a certain number of channels to unaffiliated programmers at regulated rates.) The issue arose around a Report and Order at the FCC's July 16 meeting. Because there were three "concurrences" in the item, which are sort of "yes' votes, the item has been held in abeyance until the General Counsel's office confirms that three concurrences equate to approval. This occurred after FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel asked for clarification since she was not sure the substance of the item would take effect.
Commissioner Rosenworcel and Commissioner Geoffrey Starks concurred because they have issues with the item's conclusion that the leased access rules are constitutionally suspect. Commissioner Brendan Carr, who has no issue with that conclusion, concurred because he thought the FCC should have taken a different approach that better responded to the "serious constitutional question" raised by the rules. Commissioner Carr later clarified that his was a partial dissent, and that he did approve the item. Commissioner Rosenworcel still asked for a confirmation. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said that would happen, but given Commissioner Carr's explanation, said the item had indeed,passed.
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai announced that the items below are tentatively on the agenda for the August Open Commission Meeting scheduled for Thursday, August 6, 2020:
C-band Auction Procedures – The FCC will consider a Public Notice that would adopt procedures for the auction of new flexible-use overlay licenses in the 3.7–3.98 GHz band (Auction 107) for 5G, the Internet of Things, and other advanced wireless services. (AU Docket No. 20-25)
Radio Duplication Rules – The FCC will consider a Report and Order that would eliminate the radio duplication rule with regard to AM stations and retain the rule for FM stations. (MB Docket Nos. 19-310. 17-105)
Common Antenna Siting Rules – The FCC will consider a Report and Order that would eliminate the common antenna siting rules for FM and TV broadcaster applicants and licensees. (MB Docket Nos. 19-282, 17-105)
Telecommunications Relay Service – The FCC will consider a Report and Order to repeal certain TRS rules that are no longer needed in light of changes in technology and voice communications services. (CG Docket No. 03-123)
Inmate Calling Services – The FCC will consider a Report and Order on Remand and a Fourth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would respond to remands by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and propose to comprehensively reform rates and charges for the inmate calling services within the FCC’s jurisdiction. (WC Docket No. 12-375)
Corporate control over our broadband — an essential public infrastructure — is leaving many of us disconnected, underserved, or paying too much for substandard service. By creating public options and fostering competition, cities and states can usher in fast, affordable, and reliable Internet access, which is a necessary prerequisite for participating in economic and civic life.
Illinois Gov Pritzker announces $50 million more in emergency funding to help close 'digital divide'
Public schools across the state will receive an additional $50 million from the governor’s emergency education relief fund, Gov. JB Pritzker (D-IL) announced. The money will go toward closing the digital divide and training educators and families to assist students in using technology. It also will help launch a student care department within the State Board of Education, equipping school districts to support students who’ve experienced trauma. The $3 billion governor’s emergency education relief fund was established as part of the coronavirus stimulus bill. US Department of Education granted the money to governors to support schools during an emergency. Illinois was allotted about $108.5 million from that $3 billion and has one year to award the funds; unspent money will be returned to the federal government.
A conversation with former Clinton Administration aide and Federal Communications Commission official David Goodfriend about the possibility of another stimulus bill and what one might include as COVID-19 cases continue to rise. The discussion touches on the importance of including broadband provisions in any new bill, which could mirror the House passed HEROES Act. The political path to a new bill and what might be off the table in the coming legislative battle.
Public Knowledge, INCOMPAS, the Open Technology Institute and others warned Congress not to try to use the appropriations process -- via language in the FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) -- to undo the Federal Communications Commission's Ligado decision at the behest of the Defense Department, saying it would be tantamount to sabotaging the FCC's spectrum authority. The FCC has already unanimously granted the Ligado (formerly LightSquared) proposal to use satellite spectrum adjacent to GPS spectrum for terrestrial broadband so long as it meets various conditions to prevent interference with that adjacent GPS, but that hasn't stopped critics on the Hill and in the Trump Administration from slamming the decision and trying to reverse it.
Health tech offers major benefits, but policymakers must make it accessible. Whether it’s the cost of devices, sluggish internet speeds, insurance program restrictions or a lack of coverage in rural areas and schools, there can be many hindrances to using telehealth services. “It's really hard if you don't have broadband, or a way to do video to have the kind of virtual care that you might have in a different part of the country,” said former chair of the American Medical Association (AMA) Board of Trustees Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld. He appreciates that the authorities and insurance companies decided to cover audio-only interactions, since many people don’t have access to the infrastructure required for video visits. But there is more to be done. “Making sure that we expand and improve broadband service is a piece of the policy puzzle,” he added.
Accessibility is a major issue that can cause healthcare disparities to be exacerbated by telehealth. “We know about the racial inequity that exists in healthcare and COVID has shined a light on that,“ Dr. Ehrenfeld said. “We don't want access to telemedicine to make the problem even worse." Telehealth could make it easier to see a doctor and alleviate burdens on the system overall, but without the right policies we risk alienating people who don’t have access to technology. The hype over telemedicine is not unwarranted, but “we do need to have a solid plan for how we best support these services going forward,” Dr. Ehrenfeld said. “The time to plan for that future is now.”
Broadband connectivity alone doesn’t make a postsecondary institution inclusive or competitive, said tech leaders from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) during a National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) webinar. The main point at the webinar was that HBCUs and TCUs must view cyberinfrastructure from a broad lens in order to better serve students and capitalize on research opportunities that can bring dollars to educational organizations. Deborah Dent, CIO at Jackson State University (JSU), said institutions need the right trained workers and tools to take advantage of what one can do with a high-speed network.
i2Coalition and The Domain Name Association Merge to Create North America’s Largest Internet Infrastructure Advocacy Group
The Internet Infrastructure Coalition (“i2Coalition”), the leading voice for web hosting companies, data centers, domain registrars and registries, cloud infrastructure providers, managed services providers and related tech, and The Domain Name Association (“DNA”), a nonprofit global business association that represents the interests of the domain name industry, have announced their intent to merge, forming the largest Internet infrastructure advocacy group in North America.
The combined association will operate under the name i2Coalition and maintain the i2Coalition’s existing organizational and management structure. The DNA will be represented by two members on the Board of Directors. A DNA-branded working group will also be created to continue to advance the DNA’s mission to protect and empower businesses and individuals with education and engagement that underscores the importance, benefits and opportunities of domain names. Effective July 28, 2020, this strategic alliance positions the combined association to be the most complete representation of the Internet industry in North America.
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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