IIJA
NTIA Pressed on Existing Middle Mile Connections at Infrastructure Listening Session
Commentators concerned existing middle-mile infrastructure not used to drive last-mile home.
Fiber
Fiber-optic technology is the gold standard for home or commercial broadband, and powers wireless connectivity. It delivers high speed and reliability, as well as vastly higher bandwidth.
5G Wireless
‘Buy American’ Waiver Request, AT&T Cuts Dividend for Builds, Jamestown Municipal Broadband Program
Telecom industry associations are asking for an exemption from ‘Buy American’ provisions in the infrastructure bill.
FBA
Rural Utilities Service Administrator: More Miles of Fiber Than Power Lines Funded Over Past Two Years
The agency’s results over these years indicate the versatility of fiber in critical infrastructure projects.
Fiber
Yellowstone Fiber Launches $65M Fiber Project with UTOPIA in Gallatin County, Montana
This will be the “first true gigabit city in the state of Montana,” said Bozeman’s director of economic development.
Infrastructure
AT&T Speeds Tiers, Wisconsin Governor on Broadband Assistance, Broadband as Public Utility
AT&T now has a 5 gigabit speeds for residential and business customers in 70 additional markets.
IIJA
NTIA Official Says Rural Broadband Funds Do Not Disqualify Area from New Broadband Monies
While NTIA will interpret grant funding under the law, it’s up to states to determine where to allocate money.
Expert Opinion
Christopher Mitchell: Treasury Department Rescue Plan Act Rules Improve Broadband Funding
The Treasury Department has resolved all of the concerns that the Institute for Local Self Reliance identified in May.
FCC
Facebook Objection Dismissed, Glo Fiber Expanding, Utopia’s Timmerman Advocates Gigi Sohn
A judge dismissed Facebook’s objection to the FTC’s investigation into the company’s alleged anticompetitive practices.
Expert Opinion
Tony Thakur: Bandwidth Consumption, 5G and Rural Coverage Will Drive Fiber in 2022
In the coming year, fiber-optic infrastructure will needed to manage and offer increases in bandwidth capacity.
Infrastructure
Leading Telecom Media Heads Expect More Fiber and Public-Private Partnerships in 2022
Leading figures in telecom media share thoughts on what the next year will hold for the industry.
Infrastructure
Experts Debate Merits of Open Access Models on Broadband Breakfast Live Event
Keller and Heckman Partner Jim Baller says model could lead to a race to the bottom, but UTOPIA CEO disagrees.
USDA
USDA Announces $120 Million in Broadband Infrastructure Loans and Grants
Money comes from the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans and Community Connect programs.
Infrastructure
Experts Disagree Over How Broadband Rollout Should be Handled with New Federal Dollars
Gary Bolton and Nicol Turner Lee debated technology use to tackle the digital divide.
Infrastructure
Supply Chain Issues Delaying Fiber Builds and Concerning Industry Before Influx of New Federal Money
Industry also debated merits of fiber versus other technologies, and speeds.
Rosenworcel Confirmed, Rohingya Meta Class Action, FTTH Builds Increase, WOW! Offers 1 Gig
FCC chairwoman cleared, refocusing attention on party tie-breaking nominee Gigi Sohn.
5G Wireless
Federal Court Blocks Social Media Law, Illinois Broadband Initiative, Fiber Leads for Telecom Giants
A Texas court blocked enforcement of a social media that would prevent companies from removing extreme speech.
