FCC
House Passes Funding Minibus Excluding ACP, Rip-and-Replace
The House of Representatives passed a $1.1 trillion spending package Friday morning which omits funding for key broadband initiatives.
Open Access
Sweden’s Open Access Fiber Deployment Offers Lessons for U.S. Strategy
The country boasts internet penetration with 98% served with Gigabit symmetrical speeds.
EFF
Industry, Non-profits React Predictably to FCC’s Proposed Net Neutrality Reinstatement
Many public interest groups highlighted what they said was the increased importance of broadband as a public utility.
FCC
FCC Adopts New Pole Attachment Rules at December Meeting
The commission set up a “rapid response team” to handle disputes.
Labor
Labor Extends Tower Safety Deal, White House AI Session, Digital Inclusion Initiative
The 5-year deal hopes to limit accidents on tower builds.
FCC
Ed Lopez: Internet for All Won’t Happen Without Real Pole Access Reform from the FCC
As states rush to outline their BEAD spending plans, time is of the essence.
Google Loses to Epic Games, $120 Million Idaho Broadband, New Google Fiber Exec
Google has been found guilty in an antitrust trial brought on by video game company Epic Games.
Robocall
Industry Experts Call For Improved Spam Tags on Incorrectly Labelled Phone Numbers
Industry experts argue that more caller information should be added onto calls tagged as spam.
DHS
Bipartisan Hotspot Bill, EU Agrees to Regulate AI, FCC Warns on Cybersecurity
A bipartisan bill that would give rural households a $300 tax credit to purchase a mobile hotspot
Broadband's Impact
Treasury Approves $22.5M Funding for Broadband Healthcare in Washington, D.C.
The Whitman-Walker’s Max Robinson Center will be able to serve an extra 10,000 residents with telehealth.
Expert Opinion
Joel Thayer: No 5G Spectrum Means No Digital Future
The 5G war is on and there’s a lot of concern about the U.S. position vis-a-vis China.
Open Access
Shared Broadband Infrastructure to Get Increasingly Common: Experts
The model is well-suited to address the problem of indoor connectivity, experts said.
FCC
FCC and State AGs on Cybersecurity, FCC Approves Starlink, Verizon and Zebra on 5G
The FCC is partnering with state attorneys general to crack down on cybersecurity measures.
Biden-Harris Administration
Last Mile BEAD Builds Need More Exchange Points to be Effective: Experts
The high cost of data transport and high latency could hinder fiber builds in rural areas.
Defense
Defense Study Says Sharing Lower 3 GHz Band Not Currently Possible: NTIA
NTIA head Alan Davidson told lawmakers the unpublished study says sharing in the band is not currently feasible.
Broadband Mapping and Data
State Broadband Officials Gear Up for Map Challenges as Some Still Concerned About Resources
Some state officials are concerned about county-level understaffing.
