Frontier and Verizon urged that the California Public Utilities Commission "adopt an efficient schedule" for its proceeding regarding Verizon's $20 billion all-cash deal to purchase Frontier (see 2409050010). The companies met virtually with aides to Commissioner John Reynolds, per an ex parte filing posted last week. They sought approval by October and "underscored that a delay in California would impact the national transaction as a whole, and delay bringing benefits to consumers." The companies also noted that Frontier is "under financial pressure" and the transaction will allow it to continue fiber deployment.
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen (R) expects bipartisan support for a forthcoming bill restricting cellphones in schools. The governor and Attorney General Mike Hilgers (R) announced support for that and other kids’ tech bills during a livestreamed press conference Monday. "Social media and cellphones in the hands of young people are fueling a mental health crisis in our state,” said state Sen. Rita Sanders (R), adding that phone usage correlates with lower test scores. The senator’s bill would direct Nebraska’s education department to develop a policy for limiting phone usage in schools.
A New York bill would give the state Public Service Commission authority over net neutrality and monitoring ISPs' compliance. State Sen. Kevin Parker (D) introduced SB-1545 last week and it was referred to the Energy and Telecom Committee Friday. The measure would prohibit state and local agencies from procuring services from ISPs that aren't in compliance.
SpaceX's Starlink made its service free until February 10 for new customers affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles, the company said Friday. Those customers proactively received a one-month service credit. On X, SpaceX also confirmed it partnered with T-Mobile to enable basic SMS texting through Starlink's direct to cell satellites.
The California Public Utilities Commission will consider grants of more than $4 million for digital literacy training and broadband subscriptions during the agency's January 16 meeting. The California Emerging Technology Fund, Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission, International Rescue Committee-Oakland, Rural Prosperity Center, Swords to Plowshares and United Way of Central Eastern California would provide training to 4,140 participants and broadband subscriptions to 13,058 participants.
A Washington bill would establish a competitive grant and loan program aimed at expanding broadband access in unserved areas throughout the state. SB-5188 was prefiled by a group of Democratic lawmakers. It proposes to make funding available for the acquisition, installation and construction of middle mile and last mile infrastructure.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) announced Tuesday the formation of a Digital Infrastructure Group within the state's Department of Information Technology. Effective immediately, it will "coordinate the efficient deployment of wired and wireless communications and digital information technology infrastructure," said an executive order. “We will transform from a reactive and uncoordinated system to one that optimizes taxpayer dollars and even gives the state opportunities to boost revenue from major ISPs and cellular carriers,” said Department of Information Technology Secretary Katie Savage.
Bicameral Democratic Colorado lawmakers proposed certain changes to local government permitting rules for wireless facilities in a prefiled bill. HB-1056 would require local governments to approve applications for new wireless facilities or substantial changes to existing ones if an applicant meets certain requirements. The measure would also bar local governments from requiring applicants to file a new application for additional permits on existing equipment if the applicant meets certain requirements. The bill's prime sponsors are Sens. Dylan Roberts and Nick Hinrichsen and Reps. Meghan Lukens and Jennifer Bacon.
Maryland lawmakers will consider a bill Thursday at 2 p.m. that proposes incarcerated people could make free phone calls. SB-56, introduced by State Sen. Jeff Waldstreicher (D), would prohibit correctional facilities and providers from charging incarcerated individuals or third-party callers for phone calls. State correctional facilities would also be required to pay providers' costs.
A Virginia bill would establish restrictions on arrangements between ISPs and owners of multifamily dwelling units (MDU). State Rep. Debra Gardner (D) prefiled the bill, HB-1709, last week, which would bar MDU owners from "accepting payment from a provider of broadband service for granting such provider mere access to the landlord's tenants or giving such tenants mere access to such service." The bill would also bar landlords from requiring tenants to pay for service "unless the landlord itself is the provider of the service." Gardner's measure comes after the FCC adopted rules in 2022 barring revenue sharing and exclusivity agreements between ISPs and MDU owners.