I've identified some concerns with the order for the new 5G Fund for Rural America that will provide $9 billion to improve rural cellular coverage. The Rural Wireless Association (RWA), which represents smaller cellular companies, recently sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission that claimed the FCC cellular maps are still highly inaccurate. I live in Western North Carolina, and rural cellular coverage around me is terrible, but when I look at the rural cellular coverage around me on the FCC map it’s hard to find unserved areas. Another big problem: The FCC is not pausing to give citizens and local governments a chance to challenge the cellular map. In fact, the FCC might only issue the final map of areas eligible for the funding 30 days before the auction begins. This is a big oversight. If the RWA is right about poor maps, then the public should be given a chance to make sure that areas without adequate cellular coverage are included in the 5G Fund.

The Federal Communications Commission approved additional requests from five service providers for extensions to complete the process of ripping and replacing network gear from Huawei and ZTE. The companies in question largely cited supply chain issues as their reason for the request, as well as the program's funding shortfall. "Rip-and-replace"—shorthand for the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program, created by the 2019 Secure and Trusted Networks Act—provided $1.9 billion for network operators to remove and replace equipment from Chinese companies deemed insecure by the US government. The program has since received $5.6 billion in funding requests, resulting in calls for Congress to pass additional appropriations for the program. That request—like calls for Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) funding—remains unfulfilled, despite bipartisan support.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration released a report based on the Government Accountability Office’s recommendation to assess legislative barriers in coordinating Federal broadband programs, and how to address those barriers. The report outlines recommendations to build on current efforts, mechanisms currently in place to minimize potential duplication between federal programs, and NTIA’s role in coordination. NTIA makes the following recommendations to build on current efforts:

• Program alignment at the time of authorization: Programs should be standardized to reduce complexity and unnecessary variation for applicants and other stakeholders.
• Coordination of funding: Agencies should continue to coordinate to minimize duplication and to promote the most efficient uses of federal broadband funding for locations with unmet needs. Agencies should document standard operating procedures to that effect.
• Data collection and mapping: Federal broadband programs should include reporting requirements in line with the data standards required for the Broadband Funding Map and NTIA’s annual ACCESS BROADBAND report. Efforts to incentivize states to contribute data to the Broadband Funding Map should be explored.
• Adoption of common policies: Similar award policies would support the ability to adjust awards in the case of inadvertent duplication.  
• Enshrine a deduplication process in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): Agencies should consider revising the existing MOUs to establish a single, consistent deduplication review process that includes a review period for other broadband agencies and State Broadband Offices before the funding agency makes final commitments.