Gov performance

FCC and HUD Partner to Promote Affordable Internet Access for Low-Income Communities

The Federal Communications Commission and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) formalized a partnership to promote awareness of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) among federal housing assistance recipients. The partnership agreement reflects HUD’s commitment to increase outreach activities, alongside the work both agencies are doing to decrease the time it takes for recipients of HUD assistance to sign up for the program.

The Importance of the Universal Service Fund

On July 27, 2023, the U.S. Senate's Universal Service Fund (USF) Working Group invited public comment on the future of the USF with the stated goal of creating a bipartisan forum to guide education, awareness, and policymaking on the USF. The opportunity to weigh in with the senators has had me thinking about the importance of the USF for bringing affordable broadband infrastructure and services to millions of people around the country. So I'm taking this opportunity to share my thoughts on one of the most important tools in our national effort to reach truly universal broadband.

Permitting Council chief says it is gearing up to make BEAD a breeze

Permitting has long been the bane of broadband deployments across the country, but a little-known federal council is working to change that.

An Assessment of the Affordable Connectivity Program: Keep it, Scrap it, or Modify it?

The Federal Communications Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program has the potential to be a socioeconomic equalizer that helps close the gap between those Americans with access to broadband and those without. So far, the ACP has proven remarkably effective at making that happen. Despite only existing for over a year and a half, the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) calculates that nearly 20 million people have already enrolled in the program at a cost of just $14.2 billion in funding.

More than 20 million Americans enrolled in a federal program for subsidized internet access

More than 20 million US households are now receiving discounts on internet service as part of Federal Communications Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program. The program has continued to gain more than half a million new households a month since February 2023.

Lessons Learned from RDOF: Some Advice for the States as They Embark on BEAD

Today, many months after passage of the landmark Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the states are finally on the cusp of implementing National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s $40+ billion Broadband Equity Access and Deployment program. Some states are confidently moving ahead quickly, while others are in the early days of developing concrete plans for how they will manage this historic federal investment.

Chairwoman Rosenworcel's Response to Members of Congress Regarding GAO Report on Performance Goals and Measures

In January 2023, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) publicly released a report which makes nine recommendations to assist the Federal Communications Commission  enhance the Affordable Connectivity Program’s (ACP) performance goals and measures, language translation process, consumer outreach plan, and various processes for managing fraud risk. The FCC  has undertaken an aggressive and robust corrective plan to address and resolve each of GAO’s nine recommendations.

A Checklist for Evaluating Your State's Digital Equity Vision

Your state is doing something it has never done before: not just making a plan to achieve digital equity, but thinking about how life in the state will be transformed by closing the digital divide.

Universal Service Fund Working Group Request for Comment

The Universal Service Fund Working Group seeks public comment on the future of the Universal Service Fund (USF). The goal of this working group is to create a bipartisan forum to guide education, awareness, and policy-making on the USF. The working group invited comments on ten questions related to money collected from telecommunications companies that is dedicated to fulfilling the goals of universal service.

FTC Chair Faces Criticism in Congressional Hearing

Lina Khan, the chair of the Federal Trade Commission, faced more than three hours of criticism and ridicule from Republicans in a House hearing, as emboldened critics increasingly put pressure on the agency for its crackdown on the growing power of tech giants. During the highly partisan hearing, Republicans accused Chair Khan, who has carried out an aggressive agenda of lawsuits and investigations against tech companies, of “harassing” businesses.

Tailoring the Application of the Uniform Guidance to the BEAD Program

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) on December 26, 2013, which consolidated eight existing Federal circulars into a single guidance document. The Uniform Guidance streamlined and eased administrative burdens across the Federal Government in the administration of Federal financial assistance programs, thus increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of Federal awards, while also strengthening oversight over Federal funds to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse.

Utah's Long-Lived Broadband Map is a Big Asset

At a time when state and federal governments are funding numerous broadband deployment projects, Utah’s long-lived broadband map has been a big asset. Utah was more successful than any other state in challenging the locations database for the Federal Communications Commission's broadband map, explained Rebecca Dilg, Director of the Utah Broadband Center. The state is well positioned to determine eligible locations for the upcoming Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, Dilg noted. Utah was one of multiple states that used funding from the 

Comments on modification to FCC investigative, audit system of records due July 26

Comments on the proposed modification of an existing system of records, FCC/OIG–3, Investigative and Audit Files are due July 26, 2023. The Federal Communications Commission uses the investigative and audit files contained in the records in this system to carry out its duties and responsibilities under the Inspector General Act of 1978. The modification changes the scope of this system of records to add new routine uses, to update the exemptions the FCC claims for this system and to make other changes.

FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel warns Congress that not funding ACP will 'cut families off'

With the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) set to run out of funding in early 2024, the importance of sustaining the program took center stage with House Democrats at a Federal Communications Commission oversight hearing. The hearing was the FCC's first before the House Communications and Technology Subcommittee and touched on a range of issues from improved broadba

Political Divide In Full View At FCC Oversight Hearing

The House Commerce Committee convened an oversight hearing focused on the Federal Communications Commission. “There’s a lot on the agenda today,” said Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) since the last time the FCC's commissioners testified before the committee. A chief issue was the FCC's authority to conduct spectrum license auctions. “The agency’s lapsed spectrum authority not only deprives the Commission of a core agency function, but it impacts a massive sector of our economy and jeopardizes our global wireless leadership,” said Ranking Member Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ).

Chairwoman Rosenworcel Signals FCC Won’t Apply Cable Act Rules to Streamers

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel sent a clear signal to Congress she is not looking to apply multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD) regulations to streaming video services, and that she does not think the regulator has the authority to expand into that area in any event. Rep.

Chair Rodgers to FCC Commissioners: “It’s Critical that the FCC is Accountable"

The House Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered opening remarks at the Communications and Technology Subcommittee hearing titled “Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission:"

How Successful Is the Affordable Connectivity Program?

Across the country, states are making critical decisions about how to leverage $80 billion in federal broadband infrastructure funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). With the right planning, these funds could ensure that high-speed internet service will finally reach every single home and business in the country, which has been one of Common Sense Media's top priorities for years.

There are [still] too many locations in the National Broadband Map

For many months, states have raced to add locations to the Federal Communications Commission's National Broadband Map, trying to maximize their allocation of broadband funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). But in a few short weeks, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration will allocate funding and then my prediction is we’ll never hear about “missing locations” again.

Federal Broadband Funding Report: These Agencies Are Funding Internet for All (Part II)

On May 8, 2023, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth released its second annual report

Chairwoman Rosenworcel’s Response to Senators Cruz and Thune Regarding the Distribution of Funds in Various Programs

Thank you for your letter sent on March 16, 2023, asking for specific information regarding the Federal Communications Commission’s distribution of funds in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB), Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), COVID-19 Telehealth program and the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF).

Making Strides on Broadband Affordability

In 2021, the Office of the State Comptroller reported that more than 1 million (roughly 14 percent) New York households lacked access to broadband. Two federal programs—the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB) and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)—have been established to address these disparities in access and are demonstrating positive results. The share of low-income households with a broadband subscription climbed from 64 percent to 76 percent between 2019 and 2021, a 12 percentage point increase.

House Oversight Committee Chairman Comer Probes Federal Trade Commission Chair Khan’s Abuses of Power

House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-KY) is opening an investigation into Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Lina Khan. FTC Commissioner Christine Wilson recently resigned from her role after concerns about the integrity of the FTC under Chair Khan’s leadership, citing abuses of power and disregard for the rule of law and federal ethics standards.