Procedural concerns could complicate a case at the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on a New York law requiring affordable broadband. At oral argument Thursday in Manhattan, Judge Richard Sullivan grilled parties on a procedural maneuver they used to move the case to the 2nd Circuit from the trial court. Sullivan asked New York’s attorney tough questions on the state’s argument that its law isn’t preempted.
The FCC Wireline Bureau clarified that participation in the affordable connectivity program's Your Home, Your Internet pilot program by nongovernmental entities "must be in partnership with a federal government entity or a state, local, or tribal housing entity" in response to an inquiry from the Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future. Organizations with existing partnerships with government agencies are eligible to participate, the bureau said in a letter posted Friday in docket 21-450, although the government entity must certify and submit the applications. The bureau also declined to extend the application deadline, citing the FCC's "goal of initiating our pilot programs and grant-funded outreach efforts as soon as possible."
The FCC Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau encouraged potential applicants to submit applications for the affordable connectivity program's outreach grants by Monday at 11:59 p.m. EST (see 2211220067). Late applications won't be accepted, said a public notice Wednesday in docket 21-450. The bureau also reminded potential applicants that the deadline to submit applications for the ACP navigator and Your Home, Your Internet pilot programs are due by Monday at 9 p.m. EST.
USTelecom asked Congress to "stay closely engaged" with the Biden administration and states to ensure broadband funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act results in "maximum program effectiveness," in a letter Tuesday. The group is seeking legislation to "help ensure timely infrastructure permitting" and "appropriate oversight" of grant recipients. It also asked that the FCC's affordable connectivity program be made permanent: "While most customers enjoy faster speeds and lower broadband prices, those struggling financially need additional assistance." Congress should work with the FCC to expand the contribution base for the USF, USTelecom added, noting edge providers and platforms are "the greatest beneficiaries of high-speed networks." The group also sought action on public-private cybersecurity partnerships, privacy protections and eliminating the tax on federal broadband grants.
Broadband experts and industry officials encouraged property owners and providers Wednesday to develop partnerships to meet the connectivity needs for residents in multidwelling units. Panelists during a Broadband Breakfast webinar cited challenges of deploying broadband in MDUs, including retrofitting older buildings, and encouraged stakeholders to consider various technological solutions.
Senate Communications Subcommittee members from both parties targeted FCC and NTIA implementation of connectivity programs created in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and COVID-19 aid measures Tuesday, as expected (see 2212120064), including concerns about deficient data the commission used to develop its new broadband maps. Lawmakers also touched on other telecom policymaking matters they hope Capitol Hill can address during the lame-duck session or in the next Congress. Senate Commerce Committee leaders saw a potential one-week extension of their talks on one lame-duck priority, a compromise spectrum legislative package (see 2212070068), appear via a proposed continuing resolution to fund the federal government past Friday.
A Tuesday Senate Communications Subcommittee hearing on implementation of broadband funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and other recent measures is likely to include a heavy focus on GOP leaders’ concerns about federal agencies’ oversight of those disbursals, lawmakers and other officials told us. There also may be discussion about other pressing issues, including recent pushes to include additional money for the FCC’s Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program in a FY 2023 appropriations omnibus package (see 2212070068) and to enact legislation that ensures broadband funding from IIJA and the American Rescue Plan Act doesn’t count as taxable income, observers said.
President Joe Biden signed the Safe Connections Act (HR-7132) Wednesday, the White House said. The measure, which the Senate passed in November (see 2211180079), would let domestic abuse survivors separate a mobile phone line from any shared plan involving their abusers without penalties or other requirements and require the FCC to establish rules that ensure calls and texts to domestic abuse hotlines don’t appear on call logs. The House cleared the bill in July (see 2207280052). The measure’s sponsors praised Biden for signing it. “Giving domestic violence abusers control over their victims’ cell phones is a terrifying reality for many survivors,” said Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii. “Right now there is no easy way out for these victims -- they’re trapped in by contracts and hefty fees. Our new law will help survivors get out of these shared plans and help victims stay connected with their families and support networks.” It’s “another important step toward ensuring all victims of domestic violence have the support they need and deserve,” said Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb. “This new law ensures all survivors can remove themselves from shared phone plans without prohibitive costs and requirements, and enroll in the Lifeline Program or the Affordable Connectivity Program to obtain new phones or phone services at discounted prices,” said Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif. It's “a meaningful step forward in supporting and protecting individuals who are facing domestic abuse and violence,” said Rep. Annie Kuster, D-N.H.
The communications market doesn’t need affordability metrics, telecom industry groups told the California Public Utilities Commission in comments this week. The CPUC received feedback Wednesday on a 2020 affordability report released last month and possibly applying the agency’s metrics to communications (see 2210140036). In a separate docket, the state commission received mixed reviews on a proposed pilot program for stacking federal affordable connectivity program (ACP) funds on state LifeLine support (see 2210140068).
The FCC Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau will host a series of virtual office hours to answer questions about the affordable connectivity program's outreach grants and application process, said a public notice Wednesday in docket 21-450. Office hours will be from 12-1 p.m. EST Dec. 1, Dec. 16, and Jan. 4.