Internet/Broadband

AT&T eyes higher fiber target and fixed wireless access as DSL replacement

AT&T CEO John Stankey conceded the operator’s plans for fixed wireless access (FWA) technology may not be as ambitious as those of its competitors, but he noted the technology could end up being a good replacement for legacy DSL connections.

Ending Big Tech's Free Ride

The Federal Communications Commission's current model for funding internet builds is now hopelessly outdated. The dominant platform for communications has shifted from the telephone network to the internet. Indeed, the revenue base associated with the traditional telephone network has fallen sharply from a peak of around $80 billion in the 2000s to less than $30 billion today as more and more services—including those now offered by Big Tech—are delivered over the internet instead.

America’s lack of universal broadband is an outrage

When it unveiled its National Broadband Plan in 2010, the Federal Communications Commission declared that every American should have access to affordable and robust broadband service by 2020, along with “the means and skills to subscribe.” It was the right goal; as the COVID-19 pandemic has made painfully obvious, broadband is key not just to economic growth and productivity, but also to equal access to education, jobs, healthcare and an array of opportunities.

White House proposes smaller $1.7 trillion infrastructure package to try to sway skeptical Republicans

The White House told Senate Republicans it is open to reducing its infrastructure proposal down to $1.7 trillion in the hopes of securing a bipartisan deal, but GOP lawmakers signaled they are still disinclined to support a package carrying that price tag. The new offer, described afterward by White House press secretary Jen Psaki, appears to mark a decrease from the total $2.2 trillion President Biden proposed earlier this spring. The new plan is expected to lessen the money available for broadband, and reduce the money set aside for roads and bridges, to bring the president

Kinzinger Bill Would Prevent Federal Regulation of Service Rates for Broadband Access

Rep dam Kinzinger (R-IL) introduced H.R. 3346, the No Rate Regulation of Broadband Internet Access Act. This legislation would prohibit the Federal Communication Commission from regulating the rates charged for broadband internet access service. Broadband access has become increasingly important in the 21st Century and has become even more essential as the coronavirus pandemic has forced many people to move online to work, attend school, conduct business, and even socialize.

Rep Butterfield Introduces Expanding Opportunities for Broadband Deployment Act

Rep G. K. Butterfield (D-NC-01) introduced the Expanding Opportunities for Broadband Deployment Act (HR 3376) to increase access to and speed the deployment of broadband to households and small businesses currently without this vital service. The bill will enable more broadband service providers to participate in the Federal Communications Commission’s Universal Service Fund (USF) programs by eliminating an outdated requirement that only internet service providers designated as eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) may receive USF dollars.

Rep Cammack Introduces Gigabit Opportunity (GO) Act

Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL-03) introduced the Gigabit Opportunity (GO) Act (HR 3377). The bill acknowledges the importance of high-speed internet to the 21st century economy and accordingly encourages private investment in broadband service through targeted tax incentives in areas that still lack access. The GO Act would empower states to designate low-income areas that lack fixed wireless broadband service at speeds of at least 25 / 3 mbps.

House Agriculture Republicans Introduce Broadband for Rural America Act

House Agriculture Republicans introduced the Broadband For Rural America Act (HR 3369), one of several infrastructure proposals from House Republicans that bridge the digital divide for communities nationwide. The proposal from House Agriculture Republicans provides more than $7 billion in authorizations for Department of Agriculture broadband connectivity programs. The Broadband For Rural America Act:

Biden’s Broadband Plan Is a Good Start—but America Needs Guaranteed Broadband for All

President Biden’s proposal to expand high-speed Internet access as part of his infrastructure bill affirms that broadband is an essential public service. It embraces the government’s responsibility to counteract the market’s failure to provide adequate Internet access to millions of Americans. By prioritizing universal service, it offers a glimpse of what a more democratic Internet might look like.

Comcast Seeks E-Rate Waiver Regarding its Lift Zone Initiative

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition for waiver filed by Comcast requesting that the FCC waive certain E-Rate rules to allow it to conduct a pilot program with several libraries to expand its “Lift Zone” initiative. Comcast states that its Lift Zone initiative is designed to address the Homework Gap and the digital divide by setting up safe places where students and members of the community may use Internet services to participate in remote learning and complete homework assignments. Comcast proposes to partner with seven selected l

FCC Relieves Certain Affiliates from Mixed-Support Merger Condition

The Federal Communications Commission adopted an Order on Reconsideration relieving certain “mixed support” merging companies from a merger condition cap intended to prevent improper cost shifting post-transaction between affiliates that receive both model-based and cost-based universal service support.

Rep. Michael McCaul Becomes Co-Chair of the Congressional Internet Caucus

Rep Anna Eshoo (D-CA) announced Rep Michael McCaul (R-TX) as House co-chair of the Congressional Internet Caucus. Congressman McCaul succeeds Congressman Doug Collins (R-GA) as the Internet Caucus co-chair. Rep McCaul serves as the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Ranking Member and represents the 10th district of Texas. Repr McCaul also serves as the Chairman Emeritus on the House Committee on Homeland Security and the founder of the Congressional High Tech Caucus

WISPs Have Opportunity to Enable Broadband in More Affordable MDUs

The popular conception of the digital divide is that it’s a problem of insufficient density; rural areas lack critical mass for infrastructure investment. In reality, at least 13.9 million disconnected households live in cities and metropolitan areas. Solving the problem requires addressing interrelated challenges of infrastructure and affordability. Where fiber is not easily accessible, fixed wireless is changing the economics of bringing broadband access to larger urban buildings.

House Commerce Republicans Introduce the American Broadband Act

House Republicans unveiled the American Broadband Act (HR 3435) to help close the digital divide by ensuring broadband infrastructure reaches all Americans and is not used to fund duplicative and wasteful overbuilding. Republicans on the House Commerce Committee introduced the American Broadband Act to close the digital divide, target rural and unserved areas, remove barriers to deployment, streamline permitting processes, and unleash private investment.

Expanding broadband access in Ohio becomes law

Gov. Mike DeWine signed into law a bill that creates a grant program that government and business groups said is critical to economic development. House Bill 2 creates the state’s first Residential Broadband Expansion Program with grants to offset construction and costs to facilitate expansion of high-speed internet. The plan would be to attack the last mile of connectivity to households. That’s where sponsor Rep. Rick Carfagna (R-Genoa Township) said connection remains cost-prohibitive to providers to extend service.

Gov Tony Evers announces $100 million in broadband expansion grants

Gov. Tony Evers (D-WI) announced plans to use $100 million in federal stimulus funds to provide broadband expansion grants in the state. The grants are in addition to the nearly $200 million in broadband expansion Gov Evers has proposed in his 2021-23 biennial budget, which is now in the hands of the GOP-led budget committee. As governor, Evers has full discretion over the federal funds. He announced earlier plans to spend $200 million in stimulus funds on infrastructure, with a large portion of that going toward expanding broadband access.

In First 11 Days, Treasury Distributes $105.3 Billion through Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds

The Department of the Treasury announced that it has distributed $105.3 billion to more than 1,500 recipients through the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, established by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. This $105.3 billion distribution is part of the $350 billion allocated in emergency funding for state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments.

Over One Million Households Enroll for Emergency Broadband Benefit

Federal Communications Commission Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program enrolled more than one million households in the program's first week. Households in all 50 states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa are benefitting from the subsidy program initiated by Congress. Households can qualify several ways such as through their use of existing assistance programs like SNAP, Medicaid, Lifeline or if a child relies on reduced-price school meals programs.

A lesson from the pandemic: Every American household needs and deserves reliable internet service

The digital divide presents an obvious problem, but there is an obvious solution: Making the necessary investments to bring high-quality broadband to every zip code in America. Investing in broadband will jump-start economic growth by creating good-paying jobs, ensure our children are not falling behind in their coursework, empower small businesses, improve life on our farms, and protect our most vulnerable seniors by expanding access to telehealth. This isn’t an easy undertaking, but we can’t be afraid to make a big, bold investment. 

An update on Verizon’s Emergency Broadband Benefit program

Verizon strongly supports the Federal Communications Commission’s Emergency Broadband Benefit program, and we believe in giving our customers a wide range of choices to best fit their needs. To get our program up and running quickly, Verizon made all current Fios Mix & Match plans eligible for participants in the EBB. We believe our current in market Fios Mix & Match plans, which over one million customers enjoy today, offer the most choice at the best value. These plans include no extra fees and the ability to pay only for what’s needed.

Gigi Sohn Discusses Communications Policy Under Biden Administration

On March 10, Benton Senior Fellow and Public Advocate Gigi Sohn joined Womble Bond Dickinson’s Womble PRIDE, an affinity group for the firm’s LGBTQ+ team members and allies, and the National LGBT+ Bar Association for an in-depth look at how the Biden administration may reshape the communications landscape. Sohn discussed network neutrality under President Joe Biden, Section 230, and closing the digital divide.

Coalition to FCC: Broadband Subsidies Meant for Truly Unserved Areas, Not Some of Nation’s Most Well-Connected and Wealthy Communities

In a letter to the Federal Communications Commission, a coalition of organizations noted widespread concerns about the accuracy of the FCC’s broadband maps and called the FCC’s attention to newly released information from the Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) that questions thousands of locations where significant Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (“RDOF”) funding is set to be awarded to subsidize areas that are served today. CCA found that subsidie

USAC Releases CAF Map 4.0

USAC has released version 4.0 of the Connect America Fund Broadband Map (CAF Map), an interactive online map that shows the impact of the Connect America Fund (CAF) on broadband expansion to close the digital divide in rural America.

SiFi Networks is building 10 Gbps open access fiber across US

SiFi Networks is dangling 10 Gbps capabilities in front of US operators, aiming to entice them to adopt a more European infrastructure model and sign on as tenants on its wholesale fiber network rather than building out the last mile themselves. SiFi has build commitments in place covering 13 cities across seven states. This will eventually yield a projected footprint of “well over” 40 million feet of fiber covering more than half a million homes and businesses.