What's on the agenda for policymakers.
Agenda
Utah Broadband Center seeks public input on proposed locations for broadband deployment
The Utah Broadband Center (UBC), part of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, asks for public feedback on Utah’s draft of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Initial Proposal Volume 1. The total funding allocation for Utah is $317.4 million, which will be distributed to various broadband projects through a competitive grant process. To ensure the greatest impact for Utahns, community members and stakeholders are encouraged to provide input to the state’s proposed process to identify areas needing broadband service.
FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel's Testimony Before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee
I want to start by thanking the Subcommittee for its decision to provide full funding for the Federal Communications Commission in your Fiscal Year 2024 FSGG bill. The work of the FCC matters. I’d like to highlight some the Commission’s recent work, made possible by your support of our budget, under my leadership. First, the Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program, the largest broadband affordability program in our nation’s history, now helps 21 million households pay for high-speed internet service.
The Economics of Universal Service Fund Reform
Two broad proposals have been advanced to modernize the Universal Service Fund's contributions system: 1) expanding the contribution base to include revenues from broadband internet access service, and 2) broadening the USF contribution base to include entities including edge providers such as streaming video providers, digital advertising firms, and cloud services companies. The most economically efficient option for reform is to expand the contribution base to include broadband internet access service revenues.
Vital program keeps low-income families online
The COVID-19 pandemic underscored that access to reliable and affordable high-speed internet is no longer a luxury, and the need to connect all Washingtonians is urgent. Unfortunately, a critical service established to help low-income Americans get online, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), will disappear if Congress refuses to fund the program in 2023.
Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) is a once-in-a-generation funding opportunity to promote high-speed internet access for underserved and unserved communities. The grant aims to bridge the digital divide by providing resources to state, local, and tribal governments, non-profit organizations, and for-profit companies to support the deployment and expansion of broadband infrastructure.
Nearly one third of Americans do not have access to broadband, and experts say addressing this digital divide will require cooperation between public and private entities. A discussion with broadband decision-makers on how they are working to reduce the hurdles toward a fully connected country.
7:45am ET | Doors open
7:45am - 8:15am ET | Breakfast available
8:15am - 9:15am ET | Mainstage conversations
11th Annual SHLB Conference. The program offers a diverse range of topics in the broadband space, including ACP, E-rate, and tribal libraries.
Witnesses
Jonathan Spalter, President and CEO, USTelecom — The Broadband Association
Justin Forde, Vice President of Government Relations, MidCo
Texans to vote on statewide broadband funding in November
Texas could have nearly $5 billion directed toward expanding broadband availability statewide if voters approve a state constitutional amendment on the ballot in November. Texas will receive more than $3.3 billion in federal money—more than any other state—to help expand broadband access.
EU technology-specific industrial policy: The case of 5G and 6G.
The European Commission has recognized early on the disruptive potential of 5G and later 6G.