Rural
Bank Groups Continue to Battle FCC Ratings Rule
'Inexplicably, there are currently 108 out of 179 Wisconsin banks with a Weiss safety rating lower than [B minus].'
The Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program is a $42.45 billion initiative administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration of the U.S. Commerce Department. Established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, BEAD aims to expand high-speed Internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs.
Rural
'Inexplicably, there are currently 108 out of 179 Wisconsin banks with a Weiss safety rating lower than [B minus].'
BEAD
Some states have BEAD 'rules that are not conducive to private investment or to our investment,' said chief financial officer.
Rural
AT&T's Chris Sambar calls out 'odd' BEAD rules coming from state broadband offices.
Open Access
The company's CEO said he expects states to set BEAD terms favorable to open access builds.
NTIA
The group seeks a multiyear delay for the FCC to await the results of the $42.45 billion BEAD program.
MDU’s
One nonprofit is working to ensure millions living in affordable housing gain free internet access under a current government initiative.
Energy and Commerce
The Senate Commerce Committee also postponed, for a second time, a markup session with short-term funding for ACP.
Senate Appropriations
Senators raised concerns about authority to require BEAD ISPs to offer low-cost internet plans.
Pennsylvania
This brings the total number of approvals to seven states, plus the District of Columbia
Affordability
The NTIA head defended its policy of ensuring a low-cost option.
BEAD
Arkansas and Tennessee now expect to service thousands fewer locations than originally anticipated through the BEAD program.
USF
The Spectrum and National Security Act would infuse the program with $7 billion.
Minnesota
The organization says that Article 10 will raise costs, increase bureaucracy, and decrease investments in broadband
BEAD
A decision to forbear from applying Title II’s rate regulation provisions would preempt New York’s law, argues one scholar.
Commerce
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said there will be more approvals handed down in the coming weeks.
JD Vance
The last of the low-income internet subsidy's cash is set to run out this month.