What's on the agenda for policymakers.
Agenda
Will Unlicensed Fixed Wireless Technology Make the Cut with the BEAD Program?
One of the biggest surprises in the rules that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issued for the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) rural broadband funding program was the agency’s definition of “reliable broadband”—at least with regard to fixed wireless. While fixed wireless using “entirely licensed spectrum or a hybrid of licensed and unlicensed spectrum” was considered “reliable,” fixed wireless “relying entirely on unlicensed spectrum” was not.
BEAD's high-cost threshold 'key area' of concern for fiber advocates
While the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's notice of funding opportunity prioritizes fiber builds for those applying for Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program grants, a "high-cost threshold" exception has been a point of concern for fiber advocates like the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) CEO Gary Bolton. That threshold is a cost, to be set by the states, at which they may choose not to prioritize end-to-end fiber deployment. FBA is trying to make sure the states and territories writing up their funding plans keep that threshold as high as pos
The digital divide in North America is leaving millions without adequate broadband. Incumbents operate in “islands” of connectivity, serving densely populated areas and, at a national scale, perpetuating the digital divide in the gaps in between their service footprints. Regional ISPs have a clear role in closing that gap.
Commnet’s Sacred Wind Acquisition Would Unite Two Tribal Focused Providers
Commnet Broadband plans to acquire Sacred Wind Enterprises, a move that would unite two broadband providers focused on serving tribal areas. Commnet Broadband, a subsidiary of ATN International, traditionally has focused on the wholesale market in tribal and other rural areas, but more recently has begun expanding its network to serve consumers and businesses directly. Sacred Wind, founded in 2006, provides fixed wireless and fiber broadband to the Navajo Nation and neighboring areas of New Mexico.
Commerce Committee Approves 2 Bills and 4 Nominations, including Bipartisan Children’s Online Privacy Legislation and OSTP Nomination
The Senate Commerce Committee approved two bipartisan bills to protect children online, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director nominee, Dr. Arati Prabhakar, the Transportation Security Administration Administrator nominee, David Pekoske, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce nominee, Susie Feliz, and Donald R. Cravins, the nominee to be Undersecretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development. Led by Sens.
Congress has tasked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with the oversight and management of commercial spectrum. However, past disputes have demonstrated the importance of strong leadership at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the FCC to ensure coordinated agency management of this important resource. This coordination will become even more important as developing technologies lead to better spectrum sharing in the future.
Senate Advances $280 Billion Bill Subsidizing Chip Manufacturing, Technology
The Senate voted 64 to 32 to advance a $280 billion package of subsidies and research funding to boost US competitiveness in semiconductors and advanced technology.
Brings together CENIC’s richly diverse community, with participants from all education segments, including public and private research universities; public libraries; scientific, cultural, and performing arts institutions; private sector technology businesses; public policy and government; healthcare; and R&E partners from across the country and around the world.
Appalachian communities see connectivity as key to economic revitalization. Yet today, only 21% of people living in the region’s most distressed counties have high-speed internet connections in their homes. The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is working to change that by investing roughly $30M/year on broadband projects in the region, while also helping communities prepare for the $65B freight train of federal funding heading their way.
House Passes Six-Bill Government Funding Package
The House of Representatives passed a package of six fiscal year 2023 federal funding bills. This includes the 2023 Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill, which includes $29.8 billion in funding, an increase of $4.3 billion – 17 percent – over fiscal year 2022.