IIJA
Commerce Secretary Raimondo Heads to North Carolina to Tout Infrastructure Bill Investments
NTIA notices of funding opportunity released Friday to kick off grant disbursement.
IIJA
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was passed in August 2021, and signed by President Joe Biden in November 2021. This bipartisan infrastructure law included the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program, among others.
FCC
Treasury Department Joins FCC, USDA and NTIA in Collaborating on Broadband Funding
Agency leaders sign pact to formalize information-sharing on broadband deployment projects.
NTCA
Local Governments Provide Valuable Information for Rural Infrastructure Builds
Rural communities vary in broadband needs, making community engagement essential for breaching the digital divide.
IIJA
SHLB Executive Director Calls for ‘Build America, Buy America’ Waivers
Windhausen argued that without these waivers, anchor institutions will be particularly hard hit by “Buy America” requirements.
Infrastructure
Digital Literacy, Outreach as Important as Physical Infrastructure, Panel Hears
Digital literacy gap and lack of outreach are part of the digital divide.
Expert Opinion
Steve Truebner: Middle Mile Investment Essential to True Broadband Expansion
Increased focus on middle mile is necessary for access to effective connectivity.
SpaceX
Joel Thayer and Shane Tews: Rural Broadband Requires Out-of-the-Box Thinking
Mobile broadband is largely ignored by federal connectivity efforts.
Infrastructure
High Speed Thresholds Could Pull Infrastructure Funds Away from Poorly Connected Areas
Sarah Oh Lam of the Technology Policy Institute says high speed thresholds could shift funds toward better-connected areas.
Commerce
NTIA Approves $1.2M in Grants for Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program
The NTIA awarded four grants worth $1.2 million.
FCC
FCC Votes to Start Digital Discrimination Proceeding
The commission’s rules would prevent service providers from discriminating against customers.
Broadband Mapping and Data
Former FCC Commissioner O’Rielly Emphasizes ‘Unserved’ As Priority for Infrastructure Bill Funds
Whether infrastructure money should prioritize those with the lowest speeds has been a chief debate since the bill’s passage.
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
FCC
NTIA and RUS Chiefs, Plus FCC and Treasury Officials, to Speak at Broadband Breakfast for Lunch Events
NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson and other top broadband officials have agreed to speak at Broadband Breakfast for Lunch Events.
Infrastructure
American Library Association Concerned With Burdensome Infrastructure Bill Reporting Requirements
The organization is concerned that access to federal money will come with burdensome reporting.
NTIA
NTIA Head Says Agency Is Currently Testing Military Equipment’s Sensitivity to 5G
Davidson said that he hopes to avoid inter-agency conflicts such as last month’s dispute with airlines over 5G interference.
IIJA
Internet Pioneer Vint Cerf Says Digital Inclusion is More Than Just Access
The luminary emphasized literacy on cybersecurity and accessibility features for disabled individuals.
