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.
Funding
The pandemic has prompted a new era of funding for broadband infrastructure.
IIJA
Digital Equity the Focus at NTIA’s Listening Session on Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act
Attendees questioned how digital equity progress can be measured and how underserved populations are educated on technology use.
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.
Marsha Blackburn
Senate Confirms Davidson as National Telecommunications and Information Administration Chief
Bipartisan vote confirms Davidson atop the Commerce Department agency. It has a large pile of money to spend on broadband.
Cybersecurity
Congress Must Avoid ‘Overly Prescriptive’ Incident Reporting To Avoid Missing Larger Cyberattacks
Too many reports could burden federal officials, said the executive director of the Alliance for Digital Innovation.
Marsha Blackburn
CES 2022: Multiple U.S. Senators Highlight Rollout of Biden Infrastructure Bill as a Top 2022 Tech Priority
Republican Sens. Susan Collins and Shelley Moore Capito listed infrastructure fund disbursement among their foremost focuses for the coming year.
Infrastructure
Treasury Department’s Final Rule Uses Less Restrictive Language to Qualify for Broadband Funding
Treasury Department departed from its original proposed rule, granting recipients flexibility on broadband download and upload speeds.
Commerce
Commerce Department’s NTIA Issues Request for Comment on IIJA
Comments are due on February 4, 2022, focused on the infrastructure grants, middle-mile program, and digital equity planning grants.
NTCA
Broadband Infrastructure Playbook will Push Benefits of Fiber, Help States Craft Fund Applications
The Fiber Broadband Association and the NTCA Rural Broadband Association said it will release the book before May 2022.
Broadband Live
Feds Likely to Maintain Oversight of Infrastructure Bill Fund Disbursement
NTIA is likely to continue to oversee the $42.5 billion for broadband from the IIJA.
FCBA
Broadband Offices Concerned About Uncertainty in Compliance with Federal Program Requirements
Minnesota’s broadband office is concerned about federal compliance in the wake of new federal funding.
Tribal
Sen. Alex Padilla Emphasizes Billions in Broadband Funds for California
California also has 18 projects that are part of the state’s $6-billion broadband investment under its California Comeback Plan.
Infrastructure
Governors Discuss Infrastructure Bill Spending at Summit
Leaders addressed strategies and importance of private spending.
Infrastructure
President Biden Signs Infrastructure Bill at White House, Touting Better Broadband
President Biden celebrated $65 billion for broadband deployment.
Funding
Bigger Investment Needed for Next Generation 9-1-1 Services, Experts Say
Former head of NTIA said it could cost $12 billion.
COVID
Another $700 Million for 26 States Through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund
Over 400,000 locations across the U.S. will get broadband in this funding wave.
