Communications Act
Cities Oppose FCC Inquiry into Speeding Wireline Permitting
Broadband carriers, meanwhile, push the FCC for 60 to 90 day shot clocks, citing months long permitting delays.
RDOF
In August 2019, the FCC adopted a $20.4 billion Rural Digital Opportunity Fund to expand high-speed fixed broadband service to underserved areas. Phase I of the program concluded on November 25, 2020, but the overall program will continue through 2028 as funding is distributed.
BEAD
Chambers Criticizes BEAD Delays, Calls for Clearer Broadband Standards
The BEAD program, Chambers argued, has done more to delay construction than to drive it.
BEAD
Nonprofit Urges Return of $22 Billion in BEAD Savings to Taxpayers
CAGW’s stance clashed with the views of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, a Republican.
Community Broadband
Minnesota Told to Take Broadband Future Into Its Own Hands
Gigi Sohn urged state leaders to look to local, community-led networks as models.
Infrastructure
West Virginia Moves to Curb Pole Disputes Ahead of BEAD
New regulations clarify cost-sharing rules, reporting requirements, and new dispute-resolution process.
FCC
FCC Denies Mercury’s RDOF Waiver Request
Provider now faces over $25M in penalties for defaults.
BEAD
NTIA Confirms RDOF Defaults After June 6 Excluded From BEAD Eligibility
‘At some point we just had to draw a line,’ NTIA's chief of staff confirmed.
BEAD
Hundreds of Defaulted Colorado RDOF Locations May Be Ineligible for BEAD
Commnet notified FCC of default 20 days too late for BEAD
Earnings
Lumen Reports Over $900M in Q2 Losses
Some investors panic even as most losses come from special items.
NTIA
Who’s to Blame for BEAD? Join in an Open Discussion
Big Telecom, elected Democrats, someone else?
mergers
FCC Approves BCE Purchase of Ziply
The Canadian firm is set to acquire Ziply in a deal valued at $5 billion.
Rural
Blackfoot Asks FCC to Waive Over $1 Million in RDOF Penalties
Cites ‘unforeseeable site-specific geographic and economic challenges’ as reason for default
Funding
Senate Passes Bill to Protect USF from Weak ISPs
Bill requires ISPs to disclose financial strength to receive funds
Rural
Cox Back On Track with RDOF, Except in Nebraska
ISP still subject to financial penalties in the Cornhusker State
ACLP
Study Finds that BEAD May Cost Billions Less than Expected
Eligible BEAD locations may have declined 65 percent in two years.
Rural
Lumen Fully Exited from Rural Digital Opportunity Fund
The company said the 41,000 locations it handed back earlier this month were the last of its commitments.
