IIJA
Federal Communications Commissioner Starks Seeks to Encourage Democratic Principles Online
The commissioner noted the peril democracy and citizen privacy finds themselves in around the world.
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.
COVID
Former GOP Congressman and UK MP Highlight Dangers of Disinformation and Urge Regulation
Will Hurd and Member of Parliament Damien Collins say disinformation on social media platforms a worry in midterm elections.
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.
FCC
CES 2022: 5G, Aviation Crisis a Problem of Federal Coordination, Observers Say
The hope is coordination problems will be relieved when the Senate confirms NTIA head.
FAA
Biden and Rosenworcel Commend 5G Airport Compromise, Rand Paul Departs YouTube, Samsung’s NFT Vision
President Joe Biden and FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel commend agreement on 5G delay around airports.
DC Circuit
D.C. Circuit Upholds Freed Up 6 GHz, Wireless Players Celebrate
Industry bigwigs say the decision paves the way for next-generation Wi-Fi.
Tribal
NTIA Publishes Report Calling for Better Data Aggregation Methods
The report notes need for separating broadband access data from other consumer stats.
Broadband Mapping and Data
NTIA National Broadband Availability Map Expands to New States and Territories
Nevada, Louisiana, American Samoa and Puerto Rico will join.
China
Chinese Entities Blacklisted, Surveillance of Facebook Users, TikTok Algorithm Changes
Commerce and Treasury departments will bar investment and exports for Beijing-aligned companies.
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.
Antitrust
Former FTC Commissioner Calls for Increased Antitrust Enforcement Resources
An American Enterprise Institute panel proposed Congress increase regulator resources rather than actively try to hinder Big Tech.
precision agriculture
Virginia Plans 90% Broadband, Precision Agriculture Connectivity Task Force, Ookla Buys RootMetrics
Gov. Northam announced funding that he hopes would bring Virginia’s broadband penetration up to 90 percent.
