Expert Opinion
To Withstand Emergencies Like Helene, Broadband Policies Need to Last
Going forward, we could mitigate risks by designing our networks with resiliency in mind.
Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021
FCC’s $68M for Schools and Libraries, NTIA’s $3.5M for Tribes, Broadband Breakfast on CBS
The ECF funds will go to 184 schools and 13 libraries serving over 100,000 students.
Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021
GAO Wants NTIA Feedback to Tribes Receiving Smaller Broadband Grants
Feedback could help Tribes improve future funding applications and expand broadband infrastructure.
Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021
Second Round of Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program to Provide $980M
Preference will be given to applications that are cost effective.
Funding
Third-Party Consultants Can Coordinate Broadband Deployment, Say Panelists
Awardees of NTIA’s BIP recommend hiring third-party technical consultants.
FCC
Ending Mobile Dead Zones, 16 Million on Affordable Connectivity Program, NTIA Closes Minority Program
The proposal would allow space providers to get authorization to use licensed mobile spectrum to cover dead zones.
FCC
‘Significant Resources’ on FCC Map, Association Wants More Data in Map, Minority Grant
FCC chairwoman said challenges to map data only a tiny fraction of locations identified.
Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021
ECF Awards of $96 Million, Minority Communities, Charter and Digital Education
Emergency Connectivity Fund grants will keep students connected outside of school, including those impacted by Hurricanes Fiona and Ian.
Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021
Christopher Ali: How the U.S. Department of Agriculture is Quietly Reshaping Broadband Policy
In the 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act, Congress reversed USDA’s ReConnect criteria in three crucial ways.
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
Tribal
NTIA Publishes Report Calling for Better Data Aggregation Methods
The report notes need for separating broadband access data from other consumer stats.
Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021
Will Rinehart: Early Reports Show the Emergency Broadband Benefit is Not Reaching Its Intended Audience
A new county-level data and maps will help researchers and leaders understand impacts of the EBB program.
EBB
FCC to Vote On Emergency Connectivity Fund Policies By Mid-May: Rosenworcel
The agency is expected to vote on policies for the new connectivity fund by mid-May, chairwoman says.
EBB
The $3.2 Billion Emergency Broadband Benefit Program: What’s In It, How to Get It?
March 5, 2021 – Just shy of the 60-day deadline set by Congress, the Federal Communications Commission adopted an order on February 25, detailing how the new Emergency Broadband Benefit Program would work. The $3.2 billion program was part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 that passed C
FCC
FCC February Meeting Targets 911 Fee Diversion and Replacing Foreign Telecommunications Equipment
February 17, 2021 – The Federal Communications Commission adopted two proposals in Wednesday’s meeting: Seeking comments on rule changes for 911 fee diversion, and also the secure and trusted network reimbursement program. The first proposal seeks comment on a 911 fee diversion rule that would defin
Broadband's Impact
Government is Spending Enough Money on Broadband, But Failing to Do It Well
February 10, 2021 – The government is spending enough money to get every single American connected to high-speed broadband, but they’re still failing at it, said industry experts during the INCOMPAS 2021 Policy Summit. The panel touched on how to better expand broadband across America to address the
