IIJA
State Broadband Offices Should Emphasize Adoption and Sustainability
Without efforts to drive adoption, federal investment in connectivity will fall short, agreed Brookings panelists.
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.
NOFO
Wireless Association Claims NTIA Chief Avoids Senators on Tech Neutrality
Alan Davidson’s response to Daines, dated Tuesday, says the NTIA will combat overbuilding, but does not mention unlicensed spectrum.
Fabric
Georgia Congressional Delegation Urges FCC, NTIA to Delay BEAD Dates
Georgia will submit 167K location challenges within days and plans to submit tens of thousands more in early January 2023.
FCC
More Planning Grants, Variance in Updated Broadband Connectivity, Elon Musk Stepping Down as Twitter CEO
New planning grants were awarded to twelve states and two tribal entities.
Education
Workforce Training Gap Next Great Challenge for Broadband, Conference Hears
There is a widespread concern that there is a lack of skills training provided for broadband deployment and maintenance.
FCC
Senators and Witnesses Criticize Accuracy of FCC’s New Map
According to the Subcommittee Chairman Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., up to 37,000 locations in New Mexico are unaccounted for.
Infrastructure
Regulatory Barriers Could Hinder Broadband Deployment, Senate Hearing Panelists Say
Panelists sought streamlined permitting processes on federal lands and in local communities, and reasonably priced pole access.
Verizon
NTIA Recommends Partnerships and Engagement to Address Workforce Obligations
NTIA recommends states develop relationships with labor organizations.
Infrastructure
Patrick Halley: States Must Be Smart When Defining ‘Extremely High-Cost Locations’
Sleeper issue could derail a state’s ability to spend its broadband infrastructure allocation effectively
FBA
BEAD Funding Aims to Bolster Skilled, Diverse Broadband Workforce
One of the biggest challenges in creating training programs is finding experienced trainers to lead them.
ARPA
House Bill to Make Broadband Grants Non-Taxable Introduced
Sen. Mark Warner said last month he is working to pass a companion bill by year’s end.
USDA
Sen. John Thune Launches Broadband Oversight Effort
Thune distributed a letter dated Tuesday seeking stakeholder input.
BDC
States Face Roadblocks in Challenge Processes, FCC Tries to Facilitate
The BEAD timeline looms large for many who worry that two months is insufficient time to correct the map.
BIP
Florida, Mississippi, S.D. and Utah Awarded Broadband Planning Grants
‘This award will provide access to those communities who have for too long went without affordable internet connectivity.’
Broadband Mapping and Data
FCC Maps Have ‘Misleading’ Satellite Claims, Need Clarity on Challenge Process: Advocacy Group
The commission published the initial draft of its map Friday, unleashing a storm of controversy in the industry circles.
NOFO
GOP Senators Want NTIA to Revisit View That Unlicensed Spectrum Networks Are Not ‘Reliable’
The coalition sent a letter to NTIA head Alan Davidson urging the agency to reconsider the policies outlined in the BEAD NOFO.
