Infrastructure
Infrastructure Money Must Go to Better Networks — Even If in Areas with Existing Infrastructure
Some are warning that federal infrastructure money should not go toward subsidizing old networks.
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.
Verizon
CES 2022: Public-Private Partnerships Key to Building Smart Cities, Tech leaders Say
Public-private partnerships will increase the community benefit of infrastructure projects, leaders at Qualcomm and Verizon said.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tribal
NTIA Publishes Report Calling for Better Data Aggregation Methods
The report notes need for separating broadband access data from other consumer stats.
IIJA
Ajit Pai’s Views on IIJA, Outreach Needed for Broadband Adoption, Meta Voted ‘Worst Company’
The former FCC chairman said mapping issues need to be resolved before money leaves the door.
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.
Infrastructure
Alan Davidson’s NTIA Nomination Clears Commerce Committee, On to Senate Floor
The committee did not raise Gigi Sohn’s nomination during its meeting.
FCC
Local Government Advisors Concerned by Delay in Sohn Confirmation Process
They also believe Alan Davidson will be viewed more favorably to head the NTIA.
House Transportation
Congressional Witnesses Say Lack of Agency Resources is Holding Back Government Cybersecurity Efforts
House Freedom Caucus Rep. Scott Perry calls GOP supporters of the bipartisan infrastructure measure “socialist-voting members.”
FCC
FCC Eliminates Emergency Broadband Benefit Enrollment Freeze
The commission says an enrollment freeze is no longer necessary as the Infrastructure Act’s Affordable Connectivity Program takes effect.
E-Rate
House Oversight Reveals Details of Investigation into Colonial Pipeline, Other Company Hacks
The committee released a memo stating that “small lapses” led to many prominent cyberattacks this year.
Infrastructure
President Biden Signs Infrastructure Bill at White House, Touting Better Broadband
President Biden celebrated $65 billion for broadband deployment.
IIJA
House Passes Bipartisan Broadband Infrastructure Bill, But Without Reconcilation Measure
After a push by President Biden, House leaders allowed for a vote on the infrastructure legislation, with some GOP support.
