Labor Department
Union Association Requests Congress Attach Hiring Strings to Federal Broadband Dollars
The Communications Workers of America wants provisions in broadband bills barring hiring of subcontractors.
Infrastructure
Reverse Auctions, State-Led Funding, Higher Speeds: Speculation Mounts About Final Infrastructure Bill
Without further word on what to expect in the bipartisan infrastructure framework, Doug Dawson examines what direction it could take.
Infrastructure
Starlink to Provide Mobile Backhaul, Two Digital Learning Firms Merge, Governors Outline Telehealth Effort
Musk looks at mobile backhaul for Starlink, two education entities merge, governors look back at telehealth success.
Infrastructure
Experts Urge Congress to Diversify Broadband Policy Beyond Wired Infrastructure
Congress should invest in wireless and wired broadband to provide resilient, affordable broadband.
Big Tech
Big Tech Must Take More Hands-Off Approach to Content to Build Trust, Expert Says
Expert warns Big Tech must adopt hands-off approach to regain public trust.
Infrastructure
Exclusive Drew Clark Column on Broadband Infrastructure Legislation
Now is the time in Congress for all good (and bad) broadband bills to be introduced.
UK
Exclusive Drew Clark Column on Innovation in Open Access Networks
Open access last-mile networks are an area of great commercial innovation and ferment in the United States right now.
FTC
Lina Khan Pitches Ideas For Regulating Big Tech In Nomination Hearing
Senate Commerce Committee considers nominations for Lina Khan, Bill Nelson and Leslie Kiernan.
Antitrust
Lawmakers And Newsmakers Tackle Google and Facebook Market Power
Sen. Klobuchar, Rep. Cicilline and experts discuss antitrust, big tech and local journalism.
Abell Foundation
FCC Asked To Include States In Mapping, Maryland’s $300M For Broadband, Energy-Saving STB Agreement
April 6, 2021 – Senate Democrats and independents are pushing the Federal Communications Commission to include state, regional and tribal governments in its development of more accurate broadband maps, according to a letter dated April 1. “We strongly urge you to incorporate the voices of state, loc
Infrastructure
Experts Concerned About Connectivity After Emergency Broadband Benefit Fund Runs Dry
April 1, 2021 – Experts are concerns about the long-term implications of the $3.2-billion Emergency Broadband Benefit program (EBB) running out of money without a plan for what happens after. The fund, created by Congress in December, provides up to $50 in a monthly internet discount for families an
Infrastructure
3 House Bills Would Create New Speed Tiers For Broadband, Dole Out Up to $100 Billion in Funds
March 22, 2021 – Three bills, worth $100 billion dollars and introduced in the House, will change the nation’s definition of served and unserved by dramatically upping the threshold for broadband speeds. The bill will create new categories including unserved, low-tier and mid-tier for federal fundin
FTC
Former and Current FTC Commissioners Laud Efforts At Greater Resources For Antitrust Cases
March 17, 2021 – A new antitrust bill by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn, is receiving high praise from current and former commissioners of the Federal Trade Commission for its focus on enhancing resources required to tackle competition issues. “I think we could use more money still,” Noah Phillips, comm
Section 230
Section 230 Reform Requires Citizen Participation, Says Sen. Amy Klobuchar
In the conversation to reform Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which governs liability for internet intermediaries, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn, said Tuesday the public must get involved. “We can’t fight Google and other million-dollar companies with duct tape and Band-Aids,” Klobuchar
Amy Klobuchar
California Net Neutrality, Georgia Broadband Maps, New House Antitrust Bill
February 24, 2021 – A California judge has rejected an attempt by internet service providers to prevent the state from enforcing its net neutrality rules, paving the way for its enforcement. Judge John Mendez, in the Eastern District of California, issued the ruling Tuesday. The law provides Califor
Poverty
Commissioner Geoffrey Starks Says FCC Eyes Emergency Broadband Benefit Program as a Priority Item
February 16, 2021 – Federal Communications Commissioner Geoffrey Starks said the $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit program is currently a top priority for the regulatory agency. The FCC has 60 days to determine how best to allocate the money from the program intended to reach “more disconnect
