California faces higher-than-expected construction costs as it works to complete the state’s middle-mile network, said Mark Monroe, deputy director-California Technology Department (CDT) Broadband Middle-Mile Initiative, at a partly virtual California Broadband Council meeting Thursday. And many more miles of fiber will be needed than originally planned, he said. Other state broadband officials said it’s important to keep funding the federal affordable connectivity program (ACP) as California makes gains enrolling households.
Congress should continue to fund the affordable connectivity program, the FCC may not be the right entity to regulate AI and the agency's spectrum auction authority should be restored, said former FCC chairs and commissioners at the Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council’s 2023 virtual Former Chairs’ Symposium Tuesday. Panelists -- including former acting Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn and former Chairman Richard Wiley -- also discussed diversity, the failed Standard/Tegna deal, and the confirmation of nominee Anna Gomez. Gomez is “a mainstream Democrat” who will “work well on a bipartisan basis,” said former Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein. “She’s not particularly ideological even though she’s been a strong fighter.”
AUSTIN -- New NARUC Telecom Committee Chair Tim Schram praised NTIA efforts making broadband, equity, access and deployment (BEAD) allocations, in a Wednesday interview. Also, Schram and another Republican committee member, South Dakota Commissioner Chris Nelson, told us they’re glad the FCC may soon finally have all five seats filled.
AUSTIN – NARUC's Telecom Committee supported permanent annual funding for the affordable connectivity program (ACP) in a nearly unanimous vote at the association’s conference Tuesday. Congress will fear ending ACP if enough people sign up, Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council CEO Robert Branson told state commissioners on a diversity panel Monday. Panelists said it’s important for digital equity efforts to keep the program that’s meant to help low-income communities afford broadband.
The use of AI and other technologies in managing how spectrum is used tops the agenda for the FCC’s Aug. 3 meeting, Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said Thursday (see 2307130025). The FCC also released the draft items. Commissioners will vote on proposals on power levels for digital FM radio. Also on the agenda, a draft order establishing an up to $75 monthly broadband subsidy for eligible households in high-cost areas through the affordable connectivity program.
Senate Democratic officials and other observers now believe it's a matter of when, not if, the chamber will confirm FCC nominee Anna Gomez and renominated Commissioners Brendan Carr and Geoffrey Starks after the Commerce Committee advanced them Wednesday, all on non-unanimous voice votes, as expected (see 2307110071). Backers of Gomez and Starks and other observers cited unified committee Democratic support for Gomez and Starks as a sign they may get unanimous caucus backing on the floor. At least one of the four Commerce Republicans who didn't oppose the Democratic nominees Wednesday plans to vote for them on the floor.
The FCC will tackle three items, starting with the use of AI in spectrum management, at its Aug. 3 meeting, Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said Thursday. Drafts of the three items are expected later in the day. Rosenworcel also mentioned the notice of inquiry at an FCC workshop Thursday morning.
State commissioners proposed NARUC telecom resolutions seeking permanent annual funding for the affordable connectivity program (ACP) and recommending no government subsidies to communications companies using network equipment that might pose a national security risk. The state regulator association may consider the draft resolutions at its July 16-19 meeting in Austin. Telecom Committee ex-Chair Karen Charles Peterson of Massachusetts proposed the ACP resolution and another draft that would urge expanding Lifeline Awareness Week to include broadband access. ACP funds are expected to dry up by Q2 2024, said the first resolution. “Establishing a new federal assistance program was a complex process at the federal, state, territory, tribal and local level,” and potentially losing a permanent low-income broadband program "with government oversight is troubling because universal high speed internet access is essential for a well-functioning economy.” New Telecom Committee Chair Tim Schram (R) of Nebraska proposed the national security resolution. Despite "efforts to rip out and replace equipment and services from" the FCC's covered list "to safeguard our communications networks," a March 1 FCC public notice found about 79 providers still have covered equipment. That poses "an unacceptable risk to national security,” the draft said. The resolution would encourage the FCC to work with state commissions and broadband offices to identify risky equipment and hold back funding. “NARUC recommends that no federal, state, or local governmental body provide universal service support, broadband deployment support, or any other form of grant funding to any communications company which utilizes equipment identified on the FCC’s Covered List anywhere in its network.”
The National Education Association, American Federation of Teachers, American Library Association and 13 other education groups endorsed FCC nominee Anna Gomez Wednesday and urged “a quick vote to confirm her.” Gomez’s confirmation prospects appear strong (see 2306270067) after facing tough but not overly negative questioning last week at a Senate Commerce Committee confirmation hearing. Gomez’s “extensive experience” at the FCC and NTIA “has prepared her well to serve as an FCC Commissioner and afforded her a deep understanding of the telecommunications issues, policies, and programs on which the education and library community has long been focused,” the groups said in a letter to Senate Commerce Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and ranking member Ted Cruz, R-Texas. “Our organizations’ central concern remains the preservation and enhancement of the E-Rate program, which provides deep discounts to schools and libraries on broadband services and Wi-Fi services. Additionally, we support further efforts to address the so-called ‘homework gap,’ including continuing" the FCC’s affordable connectivity program and emergency connectivity fund “and allowing E-Rate support to extend to the provision of Wi-Fi on” school buses. “Our organizations were heartened by” Gomez’s testimony to Senate Commerce that “recognized the importance of broadband connectivity for everyone,” the groups said: They also praised her testimony in support of E-rate.
State broadband officials are eager to move forward on NTIA's broadband, equity, access and deployment program following the agency's announcement Monday of each state's funding totals (see 2306260007). Industry and advocates also emphasized the need for more participation in the FCC's affordable connectivity program so households can take advantage of new or upgraded infrastructure in their communities.