Coverage of how Internet service is deployed, used and regulated.
Internet/Broadband
Federal Communications Commission Urged to Guide Consumers on Map Challenge
Broadband Connects America (BCA)—a coalition of diverse national, state-based, and local nonprofit organizations, as well as state agencies—asked the Federal Communication Commission for guidance on how consumers can challenge broadband created through the Broadband Data Collection Program. During the availability challenge process for the Broadband Data Collection maps, the FCC said consumers may file a challenge asserting that the “reported speed [is] not offered.” However, it is unclear how consumers can actively participate in this facet of the challenge process.
NTIA CostQuest Data Support
The Department of Commerce/Enterprise Services intends to negotiate a sole source, firm fixed price contract with CostQuest Associates for Broadband Serviceable Location Fabric, Technology Availability Likelihood (TAL), and Network Cost Model data to meet the congressional mandate at the estimated price of $49.9 Million. This procurement will provide data to support operational needs for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD), Digital Equity (DE), the Access Broadband Act, as well as the Internet for All initiative.
Startup Hexvarium thinks better data can close the broadband gap
Hexvarium is hoping to make it easier for service providers to understand the long-term costs and revenue associated with prospective broadband builds using a new software mapping tool. CEO Gerry Lawlor said that the tool will provide detailed data insights that have hitherto been lacking in the industry, and, ultimately help close the broadband gap. The company’s HexMAPP software breaks the entire US down into hexagonal blocks.
FCC To Give Nearly $78 Million in Emergency Connectivity Funding
The Federal Communications Commission is committing nearly $78 million in funding rounds through the Emergency Connectivity Program (ECP), which provides digital services for students in communities across the country.
Driven by the federal government’s historic $65B investment in broadband, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently launched a cross-agency Task Force to Prevent Digital Discrimination, which seeks to realize digital equity throughout the nation. During the event you’ll learn more about the progress the FCC towards advancing equity.
Recorded remarks by:
JESSICA ROSENWORCEL
Chairwoman, Federal Communications Commission
Workforce Planning Guide: Guidance for BEAD Program Eligible Entities
A guide for states and territories to use when planning high-speed Internet deployment projects. The high-speed Internet deployment and digital equity projects funded through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program will create over 150,000 of good-paying jobs. This guide lays out strategies and examples for meeting funding requirements and ensuring a skilled, competitive, and diverse workforce.
AT&T Is Counting on Government Stimulus Dollars to Help Fund Its Broadband Future
AT&T Chief Executive Officer John Stankey considers the expansion of AT&T’s fiber network part of his strategy to refocus the company around offering greater telecommunications connectivity now that it’s left behind its dream of being a media powerhouse.
Dollars to Megabits, You May Be Paying 400 Times As Much As Your Neighbor for Internet Service
AT&T, Verizon, EarthLink, and CenturyLink disproportionately offered the worst internet deals to neighborhoods that were formerly redlined, whose residents are lower income and have a higher concentration of people of color than other parts of the city.
Rural America is Losing Patience
Local broadband advocates and politicians tell me that folks with little or no broadband are hounding them about when they are going to see a broadband solution. A large part of the frustration is that folks have heard that broadband is coming to rural America, but they aren’t seeing any local progress or improvement. A big part of the reason for this frustration is that folks aren’t being given realistic timeframes for when they might see a solution.
A discussion on how local and state governments can engage with the Federal Communications Commission’s Fabric Challenge Process.
The FCC’s national broadband map hinges on a fabric of “broadband serviceable locations” on top of which providers report service availability . Fixing inaccuracies in the initial versions of the FCC’s map will be vital to accurately distributing broadband funding from the infrastructure bill.