FCC
Wisconsin Committee Advances Bill for State Tax Exemption on Broadband Grants
A similar bill seeking to exempt BEAD from state income taxes recently received near unanimous approval in the Georgia House.
BEAD
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.
FCC
FCC Increases Broadband Benchmark
The agency went through with its proposed 100 * 20 Mbps definition.
Vermont
Vermont to Start BEAD Challenge Process
Four other states are accepting challenges and three more are planning to begin the process soon.
ARPA
Minnesota, Oregon Make Moves on State Broadband Programs
Minnesota began accepting applications for its $50 million program. Oregon finalized guidelines for awarding $149 million from CPF.
BEAD
Conservative Groups Oppose BEAD Low-Cost Rules
More than 20 think tanks asked Republican lawmakers to push the NTIA to approve lighter touch state plans.
events
States Broadband Offices Detail Broadband Locations, Seek NTIA Flexibility
State broadband officers shared numbers of unserved and underserved locations within their respective states.
FCC
NTIA Greenlights Speedtest Data Integration in State BEAD Maps, Experts Say
The pre-challenge modification permits the inclusion of speed test data gathered from phones and devices equipped with GPS chips.
BEAD
Fixed Wireless Providers Warn About Higher Costs of Fiber Deployment
Broadband experts discussed how fiber costs could harm states' ability to build out their broadband networks
FCC
FCC Seeks Public Input on RDOF Amnesty Proposal
Nearly 70 broadband associations have asked the FCC to permit recipients of RDOF and CAF II to relinquish their commitments.
Expert Opinion
Kristian Stout: Internet for All Won’t Happen Without Real Pole Access Reform
The FCC should encourage solutions that help facilitate make-ready work when utilities are dragging their feet.
BEAD
Flush With BEAD Cash, at Least 13 States Make Plans For ‘Nondeployment’ Funds
Several state offices expect to utilize nondeployment funds in conjunction with infrastructure deployment funds for BEAD.
FCC
FCC Urged to Grant Amnesty for RDOF Recipients
Almost 70 broadband associations are urging the FCC to allow ISPs who cannot fulfill their commitments to surrender their grants with a lesser penalty.
Fiber
Make Sure that BEAD Funding Builds Deep Fiber: Metro Connect
Windstream CEO analogized a fiber network to arteries and capillaries in the human body.
Expert Opinion
Kerry Haughan: Why State Leaders Need to Keep BEAD Funding Local
In the case of rural communities, monopolies are a particularly bad fit.
FCC
New FCC Broadband Standards Should Consider Latency
The FCC sought public input in November on including latency metrics in reporting requirements.
IIJA
NTIA Finalizes BEAD ‘Buy America’ Waivers
The waiver exempts specific BEAD-funded equipment from the domestic manufacturing requirement outlined in the IIJA.
