RDOF
FCC Hits Pause On Bank Ratings Firm After Hearing Concerns, Complaints
For one year, FCC won't use Weiss ratings for banks' letters of credit of RDOF, CAF II winners.
Environment
AT&T to Halt Removal of Lead-Clad Cables in Lake Tahoe, Denies Contamination Claims in WSJ Report
The Wall Street Journal report alleging the toxicity of the cables is inaccurate, claims AT&T.
broadband roundup
FCC Maps Inaccurate on Anchor Institutions, SpaceX Requests Licensing, New Consolidated CFO
SHLB told FCC not all anchor institutions use non-mass market internet providers, which are left out of mapping.
broadband roundup
Carr ‘Surprised’ by RDOF Denials, ‘New Normal’ on Supply Chain, $68M for Student Connectivity
Carr said he was notified via press release of the FCC decision to deny RDOF money to Starlink and LTD.
broadband roundup
LS Networks Gets CEO from Meta, Verizon Upgrading Capacity, Consolidated Boasts More Customers
Randy Brogle was previously working on fiber investments for Facebook parent Meta.
Funding
NTIA Broadband Programs Announce Grants to Tackle Last-Mile Infrastructure
Recent policy talks have pushed for more focus on middle-mile with future funding from infrastructure bill money.
broadband roundup
Russia-backed RT Gets Blocked, NTIA Adds to Ranks, Open Access in California
Kremlin-backed media network RT has been blocked by broadcasters and big technology companies.
Infrastructure
Broadband Panelists Say Public-Private Partnerships Provide Unique Solutions for Regional Needs
Some experts believe that public-private models may provide answers for municipalities struggling to narrow the digital divide.
broadband roundup
FCC Supply Chain Security Strategy, Risk Of Fiber Shortage, Digital Literacy To Close Digital Divide
FCC talks supply chain security, fiber could see shortage, and digital literacy on the digital divide.
broadband roundup
New Map of Potential Rural Broadband Bidders, Problems With Lifeline, Twitter’s ‘Read Before’ Feature
Cooperative Network Services, a consultant that works with broadband providers in the upper Midwest, recently created a map plotting the current service areas of bidders in the upcoming Rural Digital Opportunity Fund auction. The map includes information from 366 of the 505 of providers who applied.
broadband roundup
Microsoft President on Broadband Accessibility, New Hampshire Partnership, ‘Corrupted’ Consumer Advisory Committee
Brad Smith, president of Microsoft, called for closing the broadband gap during a Thursday Axios webinar on leadership and the future of broadband. “Even post-COVID, the importance of the broadband gap is not going abate one bit,” Smith said, “it will remain just as important to our future as it is
Broadband's Impact
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai Praises Agency’s Work in Promoting High-Speed Internet at ‘Broadband Heros’ Event
WASHINGTON, October 24, 2019 – US Telecom on Thursday praised legislators and a regulator who have promoted their framework for ensuring that high-speed broadband remains a top national policy concern. The lobbying group for the biggest telecom companies did so at a broadband investment forum event
