Commerce
‘Buy America’ Waivers Possible, But Very Difficult to Obtain, Says NTIA Chief
The bar ‘is not impossibly high, but it is high,’ Alan Davidson said.
Funding
The pandemic has prompted a new era of funding for broadband infrastructure.
FCC
Moneyless ACP Could Mean Small Providers Not Building Out in Remote Areas: Treasury Official
The Affordable Connectivity Program running out of money could potentially put smaller providers in a difficult spot.
Funding
Third-Party Consultants Can Coordinate Broadband Deployment, Say Panelists
Awardees of NTIA’s BIP recommend hiring third-party technical consultants.
Funding
Three More States Receive $350 Million from Treasury’s Capital Projects Fund
Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema praised the program for ‘delivering real solutions to Arizonans.’
Infrastructure
FCC Seeks Comment on Simplifying, Expanding Tribal E-Rate Eligibility
The FCC is proposing to include in E-Rate tribal colleges that separately function as public libraries.
NOFO
WISPA Says BEAD Fiber Prioritization to Increase Cost and Deployment
Prioritizing fiber builds will increase cost and deployment time, says WISPA report.
Funding
NTIA Stands Firm on Buy America Rules, Says BEAD Projects Must Be American
The NTIA’s comments came after President Biden said fiber optics should be made in America.
IIJA
In State of the Union Address, Joe Biden Underlines Importance of ‘Buy America’ Rules for Broadband
President links longstanding provision of federal law, strengthened in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, to ‘fiber optic cables’
Digital Equity Act
NTIA Officials Urge Use of Agency Resources for Digital Equity Planning
Agency officials outlined helpful material for states looking to develop digital equity plans.
Funding
Mayors Urged to Get Moving on State Conversations for Federal Broadband Funding
Time is running out to have cities’ voices heard at state broadband roundtables.
Rural
Regulation, Reporting Requirements and Oversight Can Make a Difference in Grant Applications
Several documents will improve application competitiveness, said Paul Garnett of Vernonburg Group.
FCC
CES 2023: NTIA to Address Broadband, Spectrum, and Privacy, Says Alan Davidson
Alan Davidson asserted that marginalized communities are harmed disproportionately by privacy violations.
FCC
As States Struggle to Challenge FCC Map, Local Communities Can Help Maximize BEAD Funding
Panelists compared the FCC’s process to flying a plane while it’s being built.
FCC
State Broadband Offices Face Major Challenges With Limited Resources
State officials are responsible for the disbursal of federal broadband infrastructure funds, but many offices are understaffed.
Infrastructure
Richard Brandon: We’re Ready for Broadband Funding to be Invested in Modern Infrastructure
Government funding should be invested in new, modern infrastructure that provides reliable broadband at a lower cost to more people.
FCC
Commerce Department’s NTIA Preparing to Distribute IIJA Broadband Funding
State allocations of BEAD funding will likely be announced by June 2023.
