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States Will Soon Have Big Broadband Funding Responsibility; BEAD Playbook Offers Advice
State governments will soon have a big responsibility that will impact the availability of broadband in their states. The Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act makes $42.5 billion available for broadband deployments and gives state governments responsibility for awarding those funds. Considering that some states currently have no state broadband office and those that do have an average of 10 staffers, it would appear that the states can use all the advice they can get.
Zayo Expands E-Rate Business Through Education Networks of America Acquisition
Zayo announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Nashville-based Education Networks of America (ENA), a provider of managed network services to the education and public sector verticals. ENA targets K-12, higher education, healthcare, library, and government organizations with a variety of network services, specializing in E-Rate funded programs. E-Rate is a program funded through the Universal Service Fund, providing funding to school systems and libraries for connectivity and other technology. ENA has a national reach.
Verizon Nationwide Broadband Strategy Includes Fiber, Fixed Wireless, and Satellite Broadband
Verizon has set a goal of becoming the only nationwide broadband provider. According to the company, this will be made possible through a combination of Fios fiber broadband, Verizon Home fixed wireless, and satellite broadband service. The company already has Fios available to 16 million locations, which will increase to more than 18 million by year-end 2025, when the company expects to have 8 million Fios internet subscribers.
Key Broadband Map Contract Finalized for Broadband Serviceable Location Fabric
CostQuest Associates said it has officially been contracted to provide broadband location data needed to update the National Broadband Map. The Federal Communications Commission selected the company months ago but the contract award was delayed because LightBox, another company that bid on the contract, protested the decision. According to CostQuest, the US Government Accountability Office denied the protest in late February 2022.
Faster Symmetrical Bandwidth and Lower Latency are Needed for the Metaverse, Says Meta
The metaverse offers opportunities for service providers but will require network advances, according to Meta, formerly Facebook. The company said the metaverse “calls for vast enhancements in capacity and fundamental shifts in how networks are architected and deployed, as well as industry-wide collaboration – from tech companies to mobile operators, service providers, policymakers, and more.” Meta sees three key requirements for the networks required to support the metaverse, including:
USF Contribution Reform Debate Well Underway as Stakeholders Weigh In
In addition to making unprecedented funding available for broadband, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act also directed the Federal Communications Commission to study the impact of the new government broadband funding on the Universal Service Fund program. As part of this process, the commission asked stakeholders for their comments on this, and many of those comments – particularly those from service provider associations — had a common thread: The USF program will still be needed, but its contribution system needs reform.