Broadband Breakfast Club Exclusive Report
January 2023
The allocation of billions of dollars of broadband infrastructure money is contingent on the big update to the broadband map of the Federal Communications Commission, which has set Jan. 13, 2023, as the deadline for challenges to a preliminary version released on Nov. 18, 2022.
WISPs Dispute Speed Test Report
An Ookla speed test analysis found speeds were increasing at larger WISPs, but were mostly below federal benchmarks.
WISP Speeds Rising, But So are Starlink’s, Ookla Says
The company predicted increased competition between the two for rural broadband subs.
Experts Urge Data Oversight ‘Down to Jitter and Latency’ in Broadband Reporting
Schools, states, and data firms push broadband map accuracy.
Advocates Urge FCC to Preserve Broadband Transparency Labels
Groups met with commissioners ahead of Oct. 28 vote.
Industry Experts Debate Need for Gigabit Internet Speeds as Deployment Accelerates
Industry experts debate whether gigabit internet deployment has outpaced actual consumer demand.
FCC Proposes to Rollback Some Broadband Transparency Rules
Proposal would remove six consumer disclosure requirements
New York Fed Finds Low-income Neighborhoods Pay Higher Share of Income for Worse Broadband
Lower income areas spend 2.43 percent of their income on broadband compared to 0.51 percent elsewhere, the report found.
Accurate Broadband Coverage Data Still an Issue for BEAD, Experts Say
They predicted a substantial number of homes and businesses were missed by eligibility maps.
Ookla Launches Speedtest Certified for Property Connectivity Verification
Ookla launches new speedtest to verify network quality for properties such as hotels or venues.
FCC Proposal to Scale Back Broadband Standards Draws Fire
Rural co-ops press FCC for symmetrical 100 * 100 Mbps broadband standard
Iberian Blackout Highlights Gaps in Telecom Network Resiliency
Power backups, route diversity, and planning critical to ISPs who fared better than rivals in April’s outage.
Rural States Struggling with Affordable Broadband Access: BroadbandNow
The group found many rural households have access to broadband infrastructure, but not affordable plans.
OpenVault Reports Accelerated Broadband Usage
Notes subtle, but historic shift in second quarter.
Broadband Breakfast on September 24, 2025 - Broadband Mapping and Funding Accountability
Broadband mapping and rigorous funding oversight are essential to ensuring internet access nationwide.
Gomez Wary of FCC’s Deployment Inquiry
The agency is proposing to scrap assessments of broadband affordability and adoption.
FCC Moves Forward With Broadband Deployment Inquiry
The agency also proposed reducing price regulations on legacy business data services.
Groups to FCC: Continue Assessing Broadband Affordability, Adoption
The agency is set to vote Thursday on whether to propose scrapping the inquiries, which were first conducted last year.
Sens. Fischer, Cortez Mastro Introduce MAP for Broadband Funding Act
Bill pushes FCC to improve functionality and and transparency of broadband spending map
Analysis: LEO Bids Average $886 Per Location in Tennessee BEAD Round
Fixed wireless requested $1,289 per location, fiber averaged $4,903
Study Finds BEAD Locations Plummet After Rule Changes
Does Connecticut need any BEAD money?
States Report Few Valid Challenges Under BEAD’s Mapping Update
Fears of massive eligibility losses did not materialize
Pew: Incomplete Federal Data Threatens Effectiveness of Broadband Deployment Programs
'Gaps in data collection can cause misallocation of public resources.'
NTIA Locks Additions to Broadband Maps Under BEAD
States may delete, but not add, BEAD-eligible locations
FCC Replaces Professional Engineer Regulation with Qualified Engineer Standard
Unanimous vote eases broadband data collection rules.
Bringing Ookla Speed Test Data to Bear on BEAD Program
To help state officials assess new entrants within a short time span, Ookla brings historical performance data to the table.
Garland McCoy: Make BEAD Deliver Where It Matters Most–Rural America
A rural-first approach would address the core equity and produce tangible, far-reaching benefits for all Americans.
Expert: Some States Could See Decrease in BEAD Locations Because of Unlicensed Wireless
Broadband mapping expert found that in 11 states, more than 25 percent of likely BEAD-eligible locations could be taken off the map.
NTIA Releases Proposed Questions for 2025 Internet Use Survey
Agency drops four questions, rewords others
J. Randolph Luening: What Does Tech-Neutrality Mean for BEAD?
Technologies besides fiber often fail to meet Priority Broadband Project requirements, even as defined by the June 6 policy notice.
FCC Report: 94 Percent of Locations Have Broadband Access
Ookla speed test data shows rural residents still lag behind their urban counterparts in connectivity.
GAO Flags Gaps in Federal Broadband Coordination and Data Accuracy
Three years after GAO recommendations, federal broadband coordination remains fragmented.
FCC’s New Broadband Fabric Now Governs High-Cost Program Oversight
States, ISPs still struggling to challenge its accuracy
Rep. Louis Riggs: BEAD's Groundhog Day Moment
No reputable provider is going to propose serving areas that do not make sense with fiber.
FCC’s Broadband Mapping Fabric Will Now Drive Other Agency Programs
FCC’s new mapping fabric will drive Rural Digital Opportunity Fund 'true-up'.
Ookla Study: Wireless Network Speeds of Comcast, Charter Have Soared
Measured user download speeds have increased by more than 100 Mbps
Fiber, Fixed Wireless Connections Rose in 2023: FCC Marketplace Report
The biannual report detailed the agency's latest national subscriber figures.
Going Into Year 3 Without FCC Spectrum Auction Authority
Hope for a single auction, but not blanket authority, materialized at the end of the year.
12 Days of Broadband
An annual series of the year's top 12 stories in broadband.
Experts Dissect Broadband Measurement Approaches as Federal Programs Roll Out
Broadband speed requirements have increased dramatically across different federal programs.
How Louisiana Solved the BEAD Rubik’s Cube
Louisiana appears to have achieved the BEAD program’s objective for hundreds of millions of dollars less in subsidy costs than was budgeted.
Frontier Agrees to Pay $288,000 Over Broadband Data Violations
The FCC said the company incorrectly claimed a state agency challenging its coverage had changed its mind.
Understanding the FCC’s Mobile Challenge Process
FCC called on consumers to challenge inaccurate mobile broadband coverage data.
ACP Fallout: Wireline Retains Most, Wireless and Satellite Face Major Losses
Wireline retains 90% of ACP subscribers, while wireless faces 70-80% losses.
Providers Want FCC Data Cap Inquiry Dropped
The proceeding is unlikely to move forward under a Republican FCC.
WISPA Pushes Back on Calls for Symmetrical Gigabit Broadband Standard
Industry groups are urging FCC to reject long-term symmetrical speed goals.
Benton: Affordability Blocks FCC’s Connectivity Goals
Section 706 Report should recognize high internet costs keep millions offline, Benton said.
Cox Challenge to Rhode Island BEAD Map Dismissed, Federal Suit Possible
The company said the state's challenge process rules made it impossible to challenge broadband coverage data.
Trade Group: Users Reject FCC Speed Test App over Privacy
Personal data requirements deter users from using FCC speed test app, CCA says
Hawaii Introduces Statewide Internet Speed Mapping Initiative
Map would identify where federal funding is most needed
Broadband Nutrition Labels Should Be Everywhere Now
Larger ISPs had to display labels with their plans in April.
FCC Urged to Include Crowdsourced Data in Broadband Maps
Ookla, rural advocates push for 'real-world' speed test data.
FCC Urged to Improve Approach to Collecting Broadband Data
Stakeholders pushed for better data and stricter standards.
Ookla Names Connecticut, North Dakota As Top Performing Broadband States
Speed data showed that performance was far from equal across the board.
Rural Electric Co-ops Want Broadband Data Fixed by FCC Before BEAD
NRECA pushing for consumer-driven speed tests to improve FCC broadband data.
Data, Competition and Affordability Key to Expanding Broadband
Key recent developments include FCC fines on nine ISP, the annual 706 Report and a pending deadline for the FCC's broadband labels program.
North Carolina Launches Program to Prequalify BEAD Awards
Pre-qualification is strongly encouraged, and is designed to streamline the application process for BEAD.
Lumen Facing Penalties in Wake of RDOF Defaults
The company defaulted on auction-won locations in three states
Bandwidth Hogs Putting Strain on Cable Networks
Power users are on the rise, with 1-in-5 projected to use over 1TB monthly by year end.
FCC Cracks Down on ISPs For Not Filing Broadband Data
National Telecom failed to submit broadband data three times in two years, bureau said.
FCC Kicks Off Annual State of Broadband Report
The inquiry hopes to identify and address how broadband policy can improve.
All Broadband Providers Have Labels Requirement by October
All ISPs will be required to display new labels to customers by October 10.
Dingell Introduces Bipartisan Legislation on Mapping
The new legislation aims to increase coordination between 130 federal broadband programs and 15 different agencies.
Study: Heaviest Broadband Users Will Keep Growing as Share of All Subscribers
By end of the year, 20% of all broadband subscribers will consume at least 1 TB per month.
Data Centers and the Environment
These vast, climate-controlled facilities, housing thousands of servers, support cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and data-driven decision-making.
Analyzing BEAD Eligibility, Service and Competition Gaps in One Florida County
The report shows a county not only rich in eligible locations, but also opportunities for competing with incumbent providers.
INCOMPAS Views Broadband As A Highly Concentrated Arena
Trade group wants FCC to address ISP market concentration in a pending report to Congress
From Plans to Progress: Using BEAD to Bridge the Digital Divide
The lack of a skilled workforce needed to build, maintain and operate the networks is a major challenge that could lead to delays.
Green Energy and the Democrats
Just as crypto has emerged as a tech and infrastructure issue with a heavily Republican tilt, advanced energy may serve a similar role for Democrats.
Artificial Intelligence and Copyright
As AI technology adoption increases, legislators are looking at cracking down on copyright concerns.
FCC Launches New Mobile Speed Test App
The app will enable users to obtain information about their mobile network performance.
Broadband Breakfast on September 18, 2024 - Measuring Broadband: What’s the Next Step?
In the evolving world of broadband, measuring internet connections is as crucial as it is complex.
Colorado Opens BEAD Public Comment Window
The public can review draft project area maps and program guidelines.
Rosenworcel: FCC Data Collection Update Coming This Week
The agency first circulated the update in May after taking comments earlier this year.
Garland McCoy: State Broadband Officials Must Be Prepared to Defend Deployment
Will you be prepared to defend your BEAD deployment at a future state or federal hearing?
Crypto and Republicans: Navigating the Digital Currency Landscape
During the Trump era, GOP lawmakers emerged as vocal advocates for cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.
Massachusetts Coalition Requests Residents Conduct Speed Tests
The state is currently in the BEAD challenge phase.
Rural Electric Co-ops, Other ISPs Ask FCC to Verify Reported Coverage Data
Allowing providers to submit advertised speeds results in overstated coverage, groups said.
NTIA Official Says Agency is Using Maps to Provide Faster Permitting
NTIA official reveals ongoing efforts behind the scenes to expedite BEAD permitting processes.
West Virginia Has Worst Internet, Claims DesignRush
The state had the highest average number of complaints to the FCC about internet per 100,000 broadband serviceable locations.
Salt Lake City Has Fastest Internet Speeds, Says ISP Reports
The city has an average download speed of 6.5 Gbps, claims the report.
Understanding 'Junk Fees' in Broadband
President Joe Biden has made attacking 'junk fees' a key focus of his administration.
ISPs Should Report Only Hard Outages, Industry Says
ISPs say limiting outage reports to hard downs ‘would ensure that the definition of a reportable outage is straightforward, consistent, and meaningful.’
Iowa Opens BEAD Rebuttal Window
Rebuttal submissions began June 14, initiating a 45-day window for ISPs to support or dispute challenges.
Affordability Mapping Essential for BEAD Deployments, Experts Say
Neglecting to map regions where both affordability and accessibility limit high-speed internet subscriptions could impair effectiveness.
Challenges of Broadband Infrastructure Deployment
Rights of way, pole attachments, environmental permitting and other hurdles to broadband infrastructure deployment.
FCC Circulating Update to Broadband Data Collection Program
A proposed order will enhance auditing and verification, the agency said.
No Funding for ACP, Rip-and-Replace in FCC’s FY25 Budget Request
Many budget priorities hinge on Congress reinstating the commission's spectrum auction authority.
Navigating the Landscape of U.S. Data Privacy Regulations
There is a renewed focus on how best to protect personal information in an increasingly digital world.
Group Points To A Few Early Problems With Broadband Labels
Open Technology Institute thinks the FCC needs to address problems with ISP labels to ensure the intent of the mandate is being honored.
States Gear Up for Subgrantee Selection in $42.5 Billion Federal Broadband Expansion
Arkansas and Tennessee now expect to service thousands fewer locations than originally anticipated through the BEAD program.
The Smart City Blueprint for Urban Innovation
At play in Smart Cities: Data collection, smart infrastructure, IoT, communications technologies, regulations and more.
Unraveling the Complexities of Net Neutrality
Top controversies include 5G network slicing, paid prioritizing and exempting broadband providers from Universal Service Fund contributions.
Ookla Claims Obstacles in Submitting Third-Party Speedtest Data for 5G Fund
Only the FCC's own speed test mobile application is currently functioning to submit mapping challenges for the 5G Fund.
New Broadband Transparency Labels Roll Out Nationwide
Government officials express optimism that the introduction of labels will signal a new era of transparency and competition.
The Challenge of Spectrum Sharing
At the center of the battle over the airwaves in the United States is the question of spectrum sharing.
Ookla Launches Speedtest Insights Analytics Tool
Ookla announces new Speedtest Insights Analytics Tool to understand broadband data.
FCC Imposes $10,000 Fine on ISP for False Broadband Claims
A leaked email from a company exec revealed that the false data was a deliberate attempt to prevent competitors from accessing government grants earmarked for broadband expansion in the region.
Verizon, Google Fiber Unveil Broadband Nutrition Labels Ahead of Deadline
Major ISPs must begin deploying labels by April 10, 2024.
Broadband Industry Groups Urge Caution on Using Fabric Data for High-Cost Compliance
Commenters noted that the fabric is iterative, and changes to the data could cause confusion.
NTIA Releases Permitting and Environmental Data Tool
The agency said it will be announcing additional permitting initiatives ahead of BEAD.
