OTI
Wireless Providers, Others, Disagree on Allocating Spectrum Without Auction Authority
Carriers like AT&T want temporary licenses, while smaller providers and think tanks pushed for spectrum sharing.
FCC
Education Groups Dispute Claims of E-Rate ‘Waste’ in Wireless Connectivity
Heritage Foundation assers no correlation between the provision of Wi-Fi hotspots and improved educational outcomes.
Defense Department
Experts Disagree on Licensed-by-Rule Spectrum
The framework could help free up more spectrum to meet rising demand, some experts said.
FCBA
Industry Dissent on Whether Spectrum Sharing is Sustainable
Experts disagree on the capabilities of spectrum sharing, particularly the CBRS model.
Anchor Institutions
Anchor Institutions Spreading Connectivity, SHLB Web Audience Hears
Since November, library cardholders can check out Wi-Fi hotspots for home use.
Expert Opinion
Dave Wright: Shared Relocation Fund Will Make More of Finite Spectrum Resource
‘Wireless connectivity is one of the most vital aspects of our digital infrastructure.’
Justice Department
Former FCC Chair Joins Company Board, Twitter to Pay $150 million in Privacy Case, Telehealth Prescriptions
Tom Wheeler is joining the board of a mobile network company.
Expert Opinion
Stephane Daeuble: Crossing the Digital Divide with Citizens Broadband Radio Service
CBRS presents an alternative where fiber installation is difficult.
Infrastructure
Universal Service Contribution Hike, Chinese Threat Classifications, Wireless Access Licenses, Educational Applications
March 15, 2021—The Federal Communications Commission on Friday announced that it would raise the contribution to the universal service fund to 33.4 percent, representing another record amount. This would increase the current fee charged to the telecom companies’ voice services from 31.8 percent, whi
Justice Department
Biden Justice Department Withdraws Net Neutrality Suit, Section 230 Changes, Community Digital Infrastructure
February 9, 2021 – The Justice Department on Monday withdrew its lawsuit against California for proposing net neutrality laws in the wake of a 2017 vote by the Federal Communications Commission that repealed those rules. The move signals a shift in how the White House and the new FCC could approach
BDC
Render Networks Offers Industry Guide to RDOF Network Deployment Success
December 16, 2020 – Render Networks has announced the launch of its new RDOF Deployment Guide, sharing key considerations for network deployment success and insights into developing a compelling and complete Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) long-form application. Render’s role in the Federal Co
COVID
Digital Divide is a Real Problem for Rural America, and Many Solutions Are Needed to Solve It
October 12, 2020 – The digital divide is a real problem for rural America, Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA, the Rural Broadband Association, said on Thursday at the Blandin Foundation’s conference on broadband. “People in Washington like to talk about the digital divide, those who have connectivity
Defense Department
Spectrum Sharing in the Mid-Band is America’s Best Hope in 5G Race with China, Says Eric Schmidt
September 17, 2020 – The best way for the U.S. to catch up with China in the 5G race is to enable spectrum sharing in the crucial mid-band spectrum, said Eric Schmidt, former CEO and former executive chairman of Google. “China’s already won this race. We’re definitely playing catch up. It’s a nation
5G Wireless
Advocates for New Wireless Technologies Claim Sooner Rollout, Explicate Exciting 5G Attributes
September 15, 2020 – Advocates for the much-promoted 5G wireless standard last week explained that the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the timetable for deployment. “COVID-19 has just made the future sooner,” said Joe Reele, vice president of Schneider Electric. “Private 5G networks are going to b
Defense Department
FCC Proposes 100 Megahertz Mid-Band Spectrum, NTCA on 800 Numbers, WISPA’s 10 Takeaways from Auction
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai shared his plan Tuesday (PDF) to make the 3.45-3.55 GigaHertz (GHz) band available for commercial use in the United States, setting aside 100 megahertz for commercial 5G use. “With this 3.45 GHz band proposal, the upcoming C-band auction of 280 megahertz of spectrum, and the re
FCC
FCC Fines Form 477 Failures, ‘Rip and Replace’ Worries Rural Providers, Facebook to Block Anti-Voting Ads
After reporting inaccurate information, failing to file deployment data, making false statements to FCC investigators, and failing to respond to other inquiries, BarrierFree is on track to be fined the maximum penalty of $163,912 by the Federal Communications Commission. In fact, agency officials sa
