What's on the agenda for policymakers.
Agenda
Recently, financial technology (or fintech, for short) has been at the forefront of innovating traditional financial services models and challenging the status quo of banking. From mobile wallets to earned wage access, fintech companies are filling major gaps in financial services, while providing competitive alternatives to larger incumbents. This webinar will discuss the competitive positioning of fintechs, emerging industry trends and upcoming regulatory challenges.
Home Internet for Students or District Cybersecurity: Where Should the Money Go?
Despite billions of dollars in one-time federal relief money to help students learn online at home during the pandemic, the so-called homework gap persists. In fact, some schools have stopped extending students and teachers without reliable internet the connectivity help they provided during the pandemic. Forty-five percent of public schools say they are still offering home internet to students.
A conversation about the state of cybersecurity, the ways marginalized communities are particularly vulnerable, how we can work together to educate people on threats they might face online, and what career opportunities these challenges can provide to members of all communities who are interested in helping to promote solutions.
The collection of high-quality data is of critical importance when tackling global issues like climate change, disaster response, and public health. But some groups have access to high-quality data about themselves and their communities and others don’t. Critical gaps in data hinder collaborative action on key global challenges. For example, countries vary in the quality and quantity of meteorological data collected, meaning climate risk prediction models for a given area may be inaccurate.
Broadband Providers: Inflation has doubled RDOF build costs
Inflation is wreaking havoc on several broadband operators’ rural build plans, making financially tough projects even tougher. A number of operators with Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) commitments stated that the cost estimates for their builds have skyrocketed. Some are finding it difficult to find banks willing to lend them the money needed to complete their projects. That means those broadband providers without a hefty amount of cash on hand could be at risk of defaulting on their obligations.
The agenda for the meeting will include a report of the Digital Empowerment and Inclusion (DEI) Working Group, including recommendations, for addressing digital redlining and other barriers that impact equitable access to broadband and other emerging technology in under-served and under-connected communities.
This agenda may be modified at the discretion of the CEDC Chair and the DFO.
FCC's Rosenworcel Provides Rep McMorris Rodgers a Response on Agenda
I welcome the opportunity to respond and can assure you that the Federal Communications Commission takes seriously the responsibilities entrusted to it by Congress under the law, including the efforts identified in your letter “to expand connectivity to all Americans, regulate broadcast stations and multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) in the media marketplace, limit the transmission of illegal robocalls, preserve the capability for reliable 911 and emergency alerting services, and remove untrusted communications equipment and services from U.S.
AT&T Is in Talks With Investors on Fiber Build-Out
AT&T is in discussions to create a joint venture that would invest billions of dollars on fiber-optic network expansion. The company is working with Morgan Stanley to help bring in an infrastructure partner to the venture, which is expected to be valued at $10 billion to $15 billion. AT&T is embarking on its biggest plan yet to pursue broadband customers outside its traditional 21-state local phone territory.
National Telecommunications and Information Administration Holds First Meeting of New Tribal Broadband Leaders Network
The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) began the Tribal Broadband Leaders Network, a community of practitioners that are dedicated to expanding connectivity on Tribal lands.
National Telecommunications and Information Administration to Seek Public Comment on Developing Spectrum Strategy
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will ask the public what spectrum should become available and for what purposes. The NTIA will develop a “spectrum strategy” designed to free up airwaves for a wide variety of uses. The NTIA will rely on multiple streams of public input, including a request for comment and public meetings to inform this strategy. When designing spectrum policy, the government balances the needs of the federal government – including the national security entities – with those of private industry and others.