Joe Biden
Biden Budget Includes $600 Million for Rural Broadband
The money will add to the USDA’s ReConnect program.
ARPA
American Rescue Plan Act is a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill passed in 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It included significant funding for broadband infrastructure to expand high-speed internet access in rural and underserved areas. States have until December 31, 2026 to distribute these funds.
FCC
Verizon Early Access to Spectrum, Senate Encouraged to Pass Prison Phone Bill, $56M in Delaware Broadband
Verizon said accelerated access to C-band spectrum will allow it to get 5G to customers faster.
Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021
Event: Building for Digital Equity – Demystifying Broadband Policy and Funding
ILSR and the National Digital Inclusion Alliance team up for two-hour livestream event on March 16 from 2-4 p.m. ET
Infrastructure
IIJA Application Webinars, NY Broadband Survey, Chinese LEO Broadband Satellites
The Commerce agency will hold pre-funding technical assistance hearings for infrastructure bill money starting this month.
ARPA
Crowd-Sourced Broadband Maps Often More Useful Than Government Efforts, Panel Says
Community broadband data can be collected by harnessing the power of the individual.
Expert Opinion
Christopher Mitchell: Brendan Carr is Wrong on the Treasury Department’s Broadband Rules
The Federal Communications Commission has no excuse for why the agency finished with the same bad data it started with.
ARPA
Preparing Collaboration Model, Data Collection Suggested Before Infrastructure Money Flows
With infrastructure bill, there is no longer a shortage of funds for states to expand their broadband infrastructure, consultants said.
Expert Opinion
Christopher Mitchell: Treasury Department Rescue Plan Act Rules Improve Broadband Funding
The Treasury Department has resolved all of the concerns that the Institute for Local Self Reliance identified in May.
Infrastructure
Treasury Department’s Final Rule Uses Less Restrictive Language to Qualify for Broadband Funding
Treasury Department departed from its original proposed rule, granting recipients flexibility on broadband download and upload speeds.
Telehealth
Year In Review: Key Developments for Broadband’s Impact in the U.S.
This year saw a growing telehealth trend, federal digital inclusion efforts and greater attention to spectrum sharing.
Infrastructure
Year in Review: Key Developments in Digital Infrastructure with Ramifications for Next Year
Broadband Breakfast is kicking off a year-in-review with key developments in digital infrastructure.
ARPA
Sohn Broadcast Ties Questioned, Broadband in Baltimore, Facebook Asked to Sell Giphy in U.K.
The National Association of Broadcasters raised concern about FCC nominee Gigi Sohn’s ties to defunct streaming service Locast.
COVID
Exclusive Drew Clark Column: Treasury Regulations Stir Battle Over Broadband Speeds
Sticking with the current FCC minimum, the proposed rule still leans into Biden administration talk of symmetrical speeds.
Joe Biden
Cox CEO Leaving, ISPs Spent $234M on Lobbying, Fixed-Wireless As Key to Bridge Divide
CEO Esser to step down, ISPs spent $234 million lobbying in two years, fixed-wireless as solution to digital divide.
FCC
Auction Date for 3.45 GigaHertz, Pew on State Role in Digital Divide, Cable Broadband Report
FCC sets 3.45 GigaHertz auction date, Pew research on state role in digital divide, and ACA reports broadband progress.
Joe Biden
Lisa Hone to National Economic Council, EBB Enrolls 3.2 Million Homes, Oregon Network, Data Sharing Request
FCC’s Lisa Hone appointed to NEC, EBB signs up 3.2 million homes, Oregon finishes network, senators request data sharing.
