WISPA urged state broadband leaders to keep any BEAD funds not spent during deployment to invest in non-deployment needs, such as fixed-wireless access networks. Whether BEAD funding could be used for non-deployment initiatives was an initial concern when NTIA amended its BEAD rules (see 2506180077). However, WISPA State Advocacy Director Steven Schwerbel said in an email to state officials Tuesday night that eligible entities by statute may award BEAD subgrants for broadband adoption and other non-deployment purposes. He encouraged states to plan non-deployment programs, noting that investing in fixed-wireless networks and other technologies will "pay dividends" in getting communities online faster and developing targeted programs for broadband workforce and digital literacy efforts.
The West Virginia Public Service Commission issued an order Tuesday authorizing the use of temporary attachments on utility poles. Order No. 261.3 came in response to a petition from DQE Communications for a temporary attachment modification to the commission's rules to accelerate broadband deployment. "The commission expects the utility owners of the necessary infrastructure, the utility poles, to expedite, not hinder, attachments," said the order, which took effect immediately.
Four broadband expansion projects in southeastern Oklahoma totaling $58.8 million were officially launched Friday, the Oklahoma Broadband Office announced. Once completed, Pine Telephone Company will connect 1,512 homes and businesses with fiber. Funding came through a combination of federal grants and matching contributions. The company received $39.7 million from the Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board last year and contributed $19.1 million in matching funds.
Oregon wrapped up the first of its two remaining phases in the BEAD grant process on Sunday. The Oregon Broadband Office closed its scoring phase that night, having reviewed and scored all submitted grant applications. The office now enters the negotiation phase, during which it will collaborate with applicants to finalize project locations and costs. It has until Sept. 4 to submit its final plan, including selected projects, to the NTIA.
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (D) signed a bill Thursday expanding the definitions of telephone solicitation and auto-dialer to include text messages. HB-3865 also restricts the time, frequency and manner of such texts and clarifies that they may not be placed before 8 a.m., after 8 p.m. or more than three times in 24 hours. It also defines "established business relationship" as any transaction between a solicitor and recipient within the previous 18 months. The law exempts auto-dialer callers from time and frequency limitations for established business relationships, debt buyers subject to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, public safety or law enforcement agencies, school districts and direct response to a message received.
The California Public Utilities Commission approved $1.2 million in digital literacy and broadband grants during an agency meeting Thursday. The grants, backed by the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) and CASF Broadband Public Housing Account, will support 10 initiatives. Building Skills Partnership received $211,895 to expand its digital literacy and AI program. Digital Equity West received $793,081 to launch eight digital literacy projects across Los Angeles County. EveryoneOn received $175,564 for its digital connections program throughout Los Angeles. The projects are expected to provide training to 1,831 people in underserved communities, said a news release.
Astound Broadband will invest $81 million to expand its fiber network infrastructure throughout Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley and northeast region. The company said Tuesday that it will reach more than 315,000 homes and nearly 25,000 businesses by the end of 2026. It said it's currently upgrading more than 4,800 miles of fiber. The company also said its deployment "paves the way for future residential and commercial internet speeds of up to 10 Gbps."
The FCC’s efforts on the White House’s AI Action plan will involve a “team” principally run out of the Office of General Counsel, said Chairman Brendan Carr in a news conference Thursday. The agency will look at its authority to preempt state laws and proceed with “an open mind,” he added. The agency’s role will be “looking at ways that we can streamline or accelerate or potentially address barriers that may be in the way of the buildout of AI infrastructure.” Commissioner Anna Gomez said during her news conference Thursday that the Communications Act doesn't give the FCC authority over AI, and that the administration's actions against subsidizing the buildout of high-capacity fiber infrastructure will undermine the proliferation of AI. "What this administration is doing with the BEAD program is antithetical to the goals of this administration on AI," she said.
A Texas bill would ensure all first responder departments have a "dedicated wireless broadband communications network" to use during natural disasters and other emergencies. State Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins (D) introduced the legislation, HB-185, on Thursday. The service provider a department chooses would be required to have service available throughout the state, "including those areas in which flooding or other natural disasters are most likely to occur." Annually, departments would be required to submit reports evaluating the effectiveness of their network services, costs and recommendations to increase the resiliency of first responder broadband network services.
New York made more than $5 million in digital equity grants available in a request for applications (RFA) Thursday. It's the second time the state has opened a round of applications through its ConnectALL digital equity capacity grant program, it said in a news release citing the Trump administration's freeze on federal funding for digital equity programs (see 2505090051). Applications are due by Aug. 25 through the state's consolidated funding application portal. New York said in its RFA that it anticipates awarding 10-12 grants. The digital equity capacity grant program will award grants to support projects that provide residents with "devices, skills, and awareness needed to make use of affordable, reliable broadband service." Applicants must, among other things, demonstrate at least three years of experience working with the population its proposed project would serve and a financial capacity to manage a reimbursable grant. Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) also launched an education campaign with the announcement to promote New York's Affordable Broadband Act, which requires ISPs operating in the state to offer discounted service to low-income households.