mergers
FCC Approves BCE Purchase of Ziply
The Canadian firm is set to acquire Ziply in a deal valued at $5 billion.
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.
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.
SpaceX
D.C. Circuit Upholds LTD RDOF Denial
The FCC had found the company wasn't capable of expanding under its $1.3 billion award, the program's largest.
Rural
Lumen Defaults on More Than 41,000 RDOF Locations
Telecom giant offers no reason for relinquishments
Briefs
Blackfoot Communications Defaults on Hundreds of RDOF Locations
Surrendered locations could be eligible for BEAD funding.
Fiber
FiberLight to Acquire Metro Fiber Networks
Acquisition opens new corridor from Virginia Beach to Data Center Alley in Northern Virginia, and also Atlanta and Charlotte.
Broadband Mapping and Data
FCC’s New Broadband Fabric Now Governs High-Cost Program Oversight
States, ISPs still struggling to challenge its accuracy
Funding
Missouri Wants FCC to Return $177 Million in Defaulted Grants
More than 85,000 locations meant to be served by the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund remain without service.
Infrastructure
Charter Foresees Cash Flow Surge, Shrugs Off BEAD
With major network upgrades complete, Charter CEO said the ISP was ready to cash in.
Earnings
Charter Reports 177,000 Broadband Sub Loss in Q4
The number missed expectations but was better than what Comcast reported Thursday.
BEAD Data
FCC’s Broadband Mapping Fabric Will Now Drive Other Agency Programs
FCC’s new mapping fabric will drive Rural Digital Opportunity Fund 'true-up'.
Cox Communications
Cox Announces RDOF Shortfalls in Three States
ISP did not reach its buildout milestones in Louisiana, Nebraska, and Arizona.
