Senators raised concerns about authority to require BEAD ISPs to offer low-cost internet plans.

This brings the total number of approvals to seven states, plus the District of Columbia

The NTIA head defended its policy of ensuring a low-cost option.

Arkansas and Tennessee now expect to service thousands fewer locations than originally anticipated through the BEAD program.

The Spectrum and National Security Act would infuse the program with $7 billion.

The organization says that Article 10 will raise costs, increase bureaucracy, and decrease investments in broadband

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said there will be more approvals handed down in the coming weeks.

The last of the low-income internet subsidy's cash is set to run out this month.

The NTIA aims to influence the use of alternative technologies to fiber optics and streamline permitting processes with new guidelines.

Devon Braunstein, the current assistant director, will be heading the office.

Sen. Ben Ray Luján signaled his USF working group is looking to fold ACP into the fund.

As full funding for Affordable Connectivity Program expires, FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel issues letter to lawmakers.

That makes 10 open challenge windows, plus 18 states finished with the first phase of the process.

The states will have one year to award subgrants with their allocations.

The proposal would provide $7 billion for the ACP, an increase from the discussion draft.

Are you prepared to watch a competitor bring fiber optic infrastructure into your service area?

The company also reported low mobile churn despite network outages and a data breach.

The state increased its low-cost option from the draft circulated in September.

The state awarded $204 million for expanding broadband infrastructure.

In the same notice, the FCC announced it will waive noncompliance penalties for an ISP unable to meet its obligations in the CAF II auction.

The new initiative aims to boost broadband workers by at least 200,000

The state senate thwarted bills aiming to enhance local autonomy and mandate ISP accountability for advertised speeds.

Idaho awarded $500,000 in grants to bolster community involvement in the state's BEAD implementation.

Only the FCC's own speed test mobile application is currently functioning to submit mapping challenges for the 5G Fund.

A local watchdog organization has accused the Mississippi broadband office of failing to comply with BEAD program guidelines.

For one year, FCC won't use Weiss ratings for banks' letters of credit of RDOF, CAF II winners.

States are now free to apply for funding to address barriers to broadband adoption.

Some advocate for directing unused RDOF funds to state broadband offices instead.

Government officials express optimism that the introduction of labels will signal a new era of transparency and competition.

Stakeholders are pushing for the 5G Fund auction to be postponed until after all BEAD subgrantee awards are finalized.

The state had considered asking for a waiver to open up RDOF areas to BEAD funds.

States advocating for some wireless services to be classified as 'underserved' were rewarded with a new modification by NTIA.

The document is intended to help states and territories carry out their IIJA digital equity plans.

It's the latest in the agency's effort to streamline permitting for the program.

The coop has served more than 5,000 multiple dwelling units in Rural America.

Vermont, Georgia, and Indiana are set to wrap up their challenge phase and process ISP rebuttals.

The Washington Department of Commerce said the grants will help communities secure fund for infrastructure, innovation, research, and jobs.

Their Republican counterparts and conservative groups have opposed the agency's low-cost policies.

The RDOF winners point to unexpected surges in broadband construction costs occurring after the auction.

The agency said it will be announcing additional permitting initiatives ahead of BEAD.

Stakeholders are pushing for adjustments to the 5G Fund as the FCC proposes a $9 billion revival.

The bill is aimed at making Economic Development Administration grants more accessible for broadband projects.

Altice USA joins the growing list of near 100 companies that have failed to fulfill commitments made under RDOF.

CTC Technology and Energy's Joanne Hovis also said broadband truly is a non-partisan issue.

A similar bill seeking to exempt BEAD from state income taxes recently received near unanimous approval in the Georgia House.

The agency went through with its proposed 100 * 20 Mbps definition.

Four other states are accepting challenges and three more are planning to begin the process soon.

Minnesota began accepting applications for its $50 million program. Oregon finalized guidelines for awarding $149 million from CPF.

More than 20 think tanks asked Republican lawmakers to push the NTIA to approve lighter touch state plans.

State broadband officers shared numbers of unserved and underserved locations within their respective states.

The pre-challenge modification permits the inclusion of speed test data gathered from phones and devices equipped with GPS chips.

Broadband experts discussed how fiber costs could harm states' ability to build out their broadband networks

Nearly 70 broadband associations have asked the FCC to permit recipients of RDOF and CAF II to relinquish their commitments.

The FCC should encourage solutions that help facilitate make-ready work when utilities are dragging their feet.

Several state offices expect to utilize nondeployment funds in conjunction with infrastructure deployment funds for BEAD.

Almost 70 broadband associations are urging the FCC to allow ISPs who cannot fulfill their commitments to surrender their grants with a lesser penalty.

Windstream CEO analogized a fiber network to arteries and capillaries in the human body.

In the case of rural communities, monopolies are a particularly bad fit.

The FCC sought public input in November on including latency metrics in reporting requirements.

The waiver exempts specific BEAD-funded equipment from the domestic manufacturing requirement outlined in the IIJA.

The core network consisted of 48 strands and 20 miles of fiber connecting city schools, municipal buildings and key anchor institutions

Proposed modifications to the NTIA's model challenge process include classifying DSL and licensed fixed wireless to be underserved.

Only a single public institution provided feedback on ways the FCC’s broadband data collection initiative could be improved.

NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson announced the first recipient of the digital equity grant program

Gina Raimondo responds to concerns that Build America requirements negatively impact the broadband supply chain.

The measure now heads to the Georgia Senate, passing the House by a vote of 162-1.

The experts expressed doubts about addressing workforce shortages that could potentially stall BEAD build-outs.

Seven trade groups urged lawmakers to pass the Broadband Grant Tax Treatment Act.

Broadband was part of the reelection campaign's emphasis on infrastructure.

The 5-year deal hopes to limit accidents on tower builds.

As states rush to outline their BEAD spending plans, time is of the essence.

The high cost of data transport and high latency could hinder fiber builds in rural areas.

Department of Commerce continues to combat the export of U.S. semiconductors to adversarial nations

The state expects “few or no” underserved households will remain by the time subgrantee selection begins.

Commissioners and House lawmakers discussed key topics at a contentious hearing.

The FCC rules have drawn strong pushback from industry groups and praise from Democratic leadership.

Existing infrastructure is insufficient to handle extra traffic from the 2024 Republican National Convention: Verizon.

Proposed rules would also put more limits on when utilities can pass full replacement costs to telecom companies.

The state is asking for a waiver to open up RDOF areas to BEAD applications.

The state is planning to expand its fiber technician training program after funding infrastructure projects.

The state expects to get broadband to all its unserved and underserved locations.

The proposals detail plans for the $42.5 billion broadband expansion program.

The state will mark all DSL customers as ‘underserved’ in its Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment plan.

The state is looking to set locations outside its mapped community boundaries as extremely high-cost.

Telecom and utility companies have been clashing on replacement costs.

Varied geography might result in multiple high-cost thresholds, the state said.

The state is opting into speed tests, area and MDU challenges, and new financing guidelines.

The state plans to get fiber to up to 90 percent of its unserved locations.

The move is a win for wireless providers, who have been pushing the NTIA on the issue.

State broadband offices should look to local organizations for digital equity efforts, panelists said.

Digital navigators spoke about their work at the Connect20 Summit in Washington.

The FCC has proposed a pilot program to help schools and libraries protect against cyberattacks.

The FCC also approved support for domestic abuse victims, inquiry on AI and robocalls and preventing cell phone scams.

The Communications and Technology Subcommittee held a hearing Tuesday on using AI to enhance communication networks.

Officials from broadband funding programs emphasized the important of non-deployment projects at the Connect20 Summit in Washington.

The program sets aside $14 million in ARPA funds for digital literacy and affordability efforts.

Comments are due to Oregon’s broadband office on December 10, and to the University of Hawaii by December 9.

Group who pushed for LOC changes are looking to ensure state contracts work well with performance bonds.

Of $10 billion spent through 2021, 93 percent of households received only 10 * 1 Mbps service.

Unlike most states, South Carolina released both volume one and two together.

Frank Pallone wants national privacy legislation in light of military data broker reports.

The commission would increase its standard to 100 * 20 Mbps.

The Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program requires ISPs and states to submit comprehensive cybersecurity plans.

It is the second state to start ground-truthing broadband data as part of the $42.5 billion program under IIJA.

The new guidance allows performance bonds and takes other measures to include smaller providers.

FCC to vote on order aimed at helping domestic abuse survivors maintain phone line.

Cable companies can leverage low upgrade costs and network operating experience to win grants, executives said.

A rural build required as part of the company’s Time Warner Cable purchase was surprisingly profitable, Chris Winfrey said.

But they worry a change in FCC data collection could jeopardize BEAD funds for wireless providers.

Network operators must submit a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy to qualify for BEAD funding

The WISPAPALOOZA panel outlined key BEAD rules for small providers and WISPs to be familiar with.

Advocacy on high-cost thresholds could help fixed wireless providers get BEAD funds.

The group’s policy heads said they are advocating to include unlicensed wireless.

ConnectLA is the first state agency under BEAD to kick off an evidence-based procedure ground-truthing local broadband data.

Telecoms and utility companies want each other to pay for pole replacements.

It’s not just about building networks, but providing affordability through programs like the ACP.

BEAD efforts to stimulate private investment may hinge upon the availability of the Affordable Connectivity Program.

Experts cited a lack of middle mile as the biggest obstacle to reaching many unserved areas.

Broadband heads from 5 states listed community outreach, mapping, and program deadlines as top priorities for BEAD.

Missing out on BEAD-funded fiber could ‘materially impair’ the Beaver Island’s ability to compete, a local committee argued.

Evan Feinman, speaking at the BEAD Implementation Summit, said the agency will also issue guidance on project auditing.

Broadband leaders touched on letter of credit requirements, subgrant timelines, and speed test data.

The new guidelines specify that only subscribers of 100 * 20 Mbps service will have speed tests accepted.

Feinman is also architect of the BEAD matching funds program: He will keynote BEAD Implementation Summit on September 21.

The conservative critic of the broadband program highlighted inaccurate FCC mapping data in a report.

The $100 million plant was announced in June 2023 as part of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to America.

The open access model allows multiple ISPs to use the same infrastructure. That could benefit Gigapower.

The state plans to serve 20,000 locations with 100 * 100 Mbps broadband.

The next phase of broadband mapping is going to be very much state-driven, said panelists.

Broadband experts express concern about letter of credit requirements for BEAD.

Will the program’s matching funds requirement stretch federal dollars, or hinder smalller providers?

Experts said the waiver will make it more practical for BEAD projects to comply with Buy America rules.

Panel discussions will explore precursors to BEAD, private match funding, state broadband planning and more

The effort is aimed at raising awareness about federal internet subsidies among housing assistance recipients.

Healthcare organizations are seeing telehealth as an opportunity to enhance connectivity with patients and improve healthcare outcomes.

Other programs can fund BEAD matching requirements.

Outlines subgrant processes and application scoring criteria.

State can offer grant application points and recognition for adhering to permitting guidance.

Representatives asked industry leaders to communicate their deployment concerns.

The program can function as a gap filler for other federal funding.

Leaders asked that providers share fiber routes for cost modeling.

Buy America provisions are seeping into state and provider policies.

Coalitions can give small players more influence in the telecom space, said panelists at Fiber Connect.

More broadband investment will result in overbuilding of networks.

Manufacturer Nokia claimed its fiber-optic electronics equipment will meet Build America, Buy America rules.

The BEAD program allows providers to use funds to deploy workforce development strategies.

Demand for an accurate and reliable map has now reached a pivotal juncture.

Fiber can connect city systems to make them more efficient.

The letter follows calls to drop the credit rule that it said could shut out smaller ISPs from funding.

The model allows states to test various inputs and visualize the implication of different cost thresholds.

The permitting council is working to streamline more broadband projects.

While policymakers work to lift barriers such as permitting reform, others remain sidelined, such as pole access.

Maine is one of the first states to submit its plan to the NTIA, following Delaware.

States must overcome numerous hurdles before BEAD will be able to succeed.

Counties can alleviate match requirement through ARPA funds.

Possible BEAD waivers are expected to be announced by end of summer, an official told Broadband Breakfast.

A new wave of activity in the domestic manufacturing market for fiber and electronic materials is happening

Infrastructure should be built to accommodate future scalability and not merely current demands.

Tickets for the day-long BEAD Implementation Summit are available for $145 until August 21.

ISPs can’t be expected to understand all program rules and processes, event hears.

Communication technology may go beyond the scope of easements, lawyer warns.

Public-private partnerships have seen success in several states, officials said.

Internet traffic points will create a ‘better ecosystem for interconnection.’

Experts suggested hiring consultancies and engaging in practice applications for projects.

In keynote luncheon fireside chat, Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., raised concerns about some BEAD requirements.

Digital Equity projects will be an ongoing effort for many states.

‘A data-driven approach will encourage states to be more transparent, open and honest.’

We may miss a major opportunity to finally connect all areas of the country if we don’t leverage 5G FWA technology.

Proposed changes to regulations would lift program revenue restrictions for recipients of BEAD funds.

Nokia will continue to invest in American manufacturing in the coming years, said CEO.

The manufacturing of the company’s fiber-optic broadband electronics products will start in 2024.

New York City expands its broadband housing development program

A strong fiber bias in broadband funding means that underserved communities remain at risk of being left behind.

How will prior broadband programs impact BEAD Implementation?

The NTIA’s BEAD program requires grant recipients to provide a letter of credit.

States can customize the definition to fit specific needs.

AT&T expects fixed-wireless to be key player in BEAD funding.

Updates increase speed requirements and facilitate coordination with BEAD and ACP programs.

The Wall Street Journal report alleging the toxicity of the cables is inaccurate, claims AT&T.

It’s unclear how BEAD funds will interact with state laws restricting municipal broadband projects.

WASHINGTON, July 17, 2023 – Communications Union Districts, organizations of two or more towns that join as a municipal entity to build broadband networks, cover over 90 percent of Vermont, said Christine Hallquist, executive director of the Vermont Community Broadband Board at an Ask Me Anything event Friday. These unique organizations

Congress should discontinue High-Cost, Lifeline, and ReConnect.

The groups are raising $25 million for connectivity in underserved areas along Appalachia.

BEAD can help close the broadband affordability gap in apartments, organization says.

The new framework resolves earlier issues about US intelligence services’ access to EU individuals’ private data.

U.S. states and territories will receive more than $41 billion. Do these sums adequately address their needs?

Bead will connect over 90 percent of all locations, both unserved and underserved, to high-speed internet.

A number of organizations tracked allocations under the IIJA prior to the announcement of state BEAD allocations

What’s next for BEAD implementation?

Cartesian predictions follow closely with BEAD allocation announcements on Monday.

A crucial step would be for the NTIA to provide Buy America waivers for BEAD-funded projects, panelists said.

Challenge processes include timeline, transparency and mapping requirements, with changes impacting community anchors and individuals.

FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel on Monday introduced the ‘Learn Without Limits’ initiative to update the E-Rate program

Texas is the highest awarded state, as 19 states set to receive more than $1 billion from BEAD.

Tuesday’s Made-in-America Summit will be headlined by reactions to BEAD allocations.

State broadband officers are prepared to leverage BEAD money to connect all Americans to the internet.

Prior announcement date of BEAD allocation funds now set for White House ceremony on Monday, June 26.

An assortment of data will be useful in all phases of the broadband planning process.

The ACP has connected millions of families and communities to high-speed internet, and it needs to be extended.

BEAD program awards are expected to have a smaller matching funds total than the middle mile awards.

Providers are using revenues from the ACP to bankroll broadband buildouts.

The FCC is close to authorizing a higher speed requirement for funding to certain high-cost areas.

The remaining RDOF budget of approximately $14 billion may never be awarded.

The state’s unique fiber sharing model makes all the difference for middle mile builds, say Utahns.

There are ‘locations where we know it is not possible to receive that level of service,’ said Maine’s broadband authority.

Lack of assurance regarding the ACP funding discourages local governments and providers from investing into the program.

25G PONs are ideal to connect customers to 10G or higher speeds, a Nokia rep said.

The state is focused on community partnerships as it waits for federal broadband funds later this month.

The program instructs applicants on best practices to write winning grant applications.

The sheer magnitude of the overstatements in the FCC’s map makes the challenge process untenable.

When President Biden talks about his economic program, the CHIPS Act is the star of the show.

Tribes needs to be prepared to approach states on what coverage data is not included in state maps.

The NTIA has acknowledged a clear preference for fiber in its bipartisan infrastructure deployment effort.

The Buy America mandate could seriously hamper the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program.

The Surgeon General called on Congress to take action against the harms social media poses to youth.

House Committee members said they wanted to ensure that the NTIA is appropriately managing funds to support rural areas.

Strict domestic manufacturing requirements may hinder the success of the $42.5 billion BEAD Program.

How many communities are leveraging their teen populations in the pursuit of broadband and digital equity?

Expanding available alternatives to letters of credit will increase the availability of BEAD for small and minority-owned businesses.

We know little about how California and other states plan to distribute the money under the opaque arrangement.

Programs like the ACP and technologies like fixed wireless can play a key role in connecting older adults.

Register by June 9 to purchase a day-long pass for just $199; Breakfast Club members pay just $49.

The BEAD program will prioritize fiber deployments, agree experts.

Some industry leaders are concerned that NTIA BEAD requirements make workforce hiring harder.

Broadband leaders have ‘unrealistic expectations’ for mapping accuracy, panel hears.

The NTIA’s resources for funding applications help state broadband officers manage their their BEAD programs.

The middle mile waiver comes ahead of the awarding of grants from the $1B program.

States should consider issuing bonds to fund broadband projects, panel hears.

State broadband offices are tasked with outlining their challenge processes amid other concerns.

The NTIA is on the cusp of announcing the award winners to the states by June 30, 2023.

Financial requirements for broadband grant applications include audited financials and letter of credit requirements.

Senators are concerned about BEAD’s fiber preference and Buy America rules.

Estimating how far the money will go does not require advanced math.

Lawmakers considered more than 30 legislative drafts targeting potential regulatory obstacles.

In a Fiber Broadband Association webinar, consultants, mappers and ISPs said states must verify broadband coverage.

The event will examine how domestic procurement requirements will impact a historic wave of federal funding for infrastructure.

Efforts in multiple states aim to address connectivity challenges for low-income residents.

Engaging local communities can build trust, which is an important factor in increasing adoption.

The funding is through Connect Maryland, part of the state’s Department of Housing and Community Development.

The lengthy grant application process can be a barrier for Tribes with limited resources.

The Treasury announced a proposal to revise broadband grant compliance obligations Tuesday.

New York filed 31,000 location challenges against the FCC’s mapping data.

While waiting for grant funding, state broadband leaders should work to engage and educate local communities.

Industry leaders agreed that fiber deployment should be prioritized, with other technologies supplementing as needed.

Communities should take initiative in building out networks without waiting for federal funding, panelists said.

An executive order bans the federal government from using spyware deployed for human rights abuses.

Commerce Department’s new proposal would limit CHIPS Act recipients from investing in other countries

Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said the second version of map fabric ‘largely completed.’

Fiber, coax and fixed wireless network plans dependent on BEAD funding demand scrutiny.

Broadband Breakfast evaluated 14 submissions to the White House’s proposal on Build America, Buy America rules.

If managed effectively, the BEAD program could play a key role in allowing our economy to weather the storms ahead.

The bar ‘is not impossibly high, but it is high,’ Alan Davidson said.

Industry groups urged Congress to codify 100 Mbps.

ARPA has helped drive billions to broadband in the two years since it’s passing.

How should state broadband offices approach cost-sharing and other BEAD compliance requirements?

Legislation to be considered include revealing Chinese backers of apps and getting investment for semiconductor manufacturers.

Awardees of NTIA’s BIP recommend hiring third-party technical consultants.

A bill that would extend the auction authority of the FCC passed the House.

Tribal leaders and citizens must gather data ‘on a scale large enough to ensure that Tribal nations receive’ funding.

The current surge of broadband funding presents opportunities as well as challenges.

There are ‘multiple’ investigations involving ‘several’ providers related to map data reporting.

More focus needs to be one removing unserviceable locations, says an observer.

Prioritizing fiber builds will increase cost and deployment time, says WISPA report.

Broadband access and privacy policies present opportunities for bipartisan collaboration, Broadband Breakfast panelists agreed.

President links longstanding provision of federal law, strengthened in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, to ‘fiber optic cables’

Agency officials outlined helpful material for states looking to develop digital equity plans.

Digital Equity provisions are central to state broadband offices’ plans to implement the bipartisan infrastructure law.

BEAD requirements a unique opportunity for underrepresented communities to be involved in broadband builds.

FCC received over 1 million challenges to mapping data and added 1 million locations.

An agency official said states have asked for guidance on how to handle local challenges.

The challenge process is important because mapping is a “zero-sum game,” panelists said.

The amount of funding to each state is based upon the FCC maps — which are clearly flawed.

Sen. Lujan once again voiced concern that the FCC’s national broadband map contains major inaccuracies.

Panelists compared the FCC’s process to flying a plane while it’s being built.

Inflation and ‘looming recession’ blamed for drop to $485 billion in 2023, down $12 billion from 2022 and $27 billion from 2021.

Experts have warned that the BABA mandate raises the cost of broadband deployment.

The letter says the current version of the FCC’s map is highly inaccurate.

The CRS report references a Broadband Breakfast Live Online event held in October.

The cost of remote fiber deployment can be a deterrent, necessitating creative community solutions.

Some fear that state offices will lack the necessary resources to fully participate in the fabric challenge process.

Government funding should be invested in new, modern infrastructure that provides reliable broadband at a lower cost to more people.

Without efforts to drive adoption, federal investment in connectivity will fall short, agreed Brookings panelists.

Alan Davidson’s response to Daines, dated Tuesday, says the NTIA will combat overbuilding, but does not mention unlicensed spectrum.

Georgia will submit 167K location challenges within days and plans to submit tens of thousands more in early January 2023.

New planning grants were awarded to twelve states and two tribal entities.

There is a widespread concern that there is a lack of skills training provided for broadband deployment and maintenance.

According to the Subcommittee Chairman Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., up to 37,000 locations in New Mexico are unaccounted for.

Panelists sought streamlined permitting processes on federal lands and in local communities, and reasonably priced pole access.

NTIA recommends states develop relationships with labor organizations.

Sleeper issue could derail a state’s ability to spend its broadband infrastructure allocation effectively

One of the biggest challenges in creating training programs is finding experienced trainers to lead them.

Sen. Mark Warner said last month he is working to pass a companion bill by year’s end.

Thune distributed a letter dated Tuesday seeking stakeholder input.

The BEAD timeline looms large for many who worry that two months is insufficient time to correct the map.

‘This award will provide access to those communities who have for too long went without affordable internet connectivity.’

The commission published the initial draft of its map Friday, unleashing a storm of controversy in the industry circles.

The coalition sent a letter to NTIA head Alan Davidson urging the agency to reconsider the policies outlined in the BEAD NOFO.

According to analysis, the middle class spends on average $69 per month on internet service.

Commercial mapping products are emerging as complementary resources for both industry and government players.

Beginning financial planning early and allow time to tweak statutes that may stand in the way of certain funding options.

Critics said that no one knows how thoroughly the map’s inaccuracies can be corrected before BEAD allocations must be made.

To correct for inevitable errors, the FCC is soliciting challenges to the map’s provider-submitted data.

Local communities understand their own needs, said Arkansas’s Glen Howie.

Sen. Mark Warner said he is in discussions to push the bill to law this year.

Christopher Ali wrote a book about the failures of rural broadband policies and leadership last year.

It is exactly one year since the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act became law.

One day before the release of the broadband map, Digital Infrastructure Investment could not come on a more appropriate date.

The NTIA urged eligible entities to submit challenges to the FCC’s broadband map by January 13, 2023.

The FCC said individuals will also be able to challenge its broadband fabric once the draft map is released.

In 2021, the FCC charged the council in its mission to prevent digital discrimination.

‘There are just an incredible amount of even management positions that would be well-suited to develop through an apprentice program.’

Applications are due mid-November, state officials said, and awards will likely be announced by early December.

Upon assuming control of Twitter, Elon Musk reportedly fired Twitter’s chief executive officer, chief financial officer, and others

‘If…you’re leasing that data from a private entity, you can’t just hand it over to another private entity.’

Earlier this month, the NTIA publicized its intention to negotiate a sole source contract with CostQuest Associates.

AT&T is seeking a joint venture partner to plow billions into a fiber expansion project.

Study says California and Texas will be the biggest BEAD winners, with grants of more than $3 billion each.

Charter said it needs to pay to replace a majority of poles to connect for some projects.

‘It is unclear how consumers can actively participate in this facet of the challenge process.’

‘The way you close the digital divide is you build fiber to every single rural home,’ Jonathan Chambers said.

‘Community-anchor institutions have been and are the connective tissue that make delivering high-speed internet access possible,’ he said.

To deploy the infrastructure itself, states must focus on user buy-in as well as network deployment.

Louisiana enjoys ‘absolute alignment’ between the governor, legislature, and local officials on closing the digital divide.

The CPF allows the state to contribute more money toward builds, the state official said.

Hurdles WISPs face include defining reliable service, regulatory burdens, and financial requirements, experts say.

There is a ‘massive difference’ between federal Form 477 data and state maps in Georgia and North Carolina

The company’s president of broadband access and adoption initiatives lauded AT&T’s public-private partnerships.

Officials on the panel said there was significant confusion among challengers regarding categories of challenges.

Updates to the Commerce agency’s website includes access to information about other federal broadband programs.

The 5th of 5 reasons to attend the Broadband Mapping Masterclass with Drew Clark on 9/27 at 12 Noon ET

Incorporating equitable processes and outcomes from the start is crucial to avoid perpetuating continued inequalities.

The 4th of 5 reasons to attend the Broadband Mapping Masterclass with Drew Clark on 9/27 at 12 Noon ET

The 3rd of 5 reasons to attend the Broadband Mapping Masterclass with Drew Clark on 9/27 at 12 Noon ET

They objected to being required to help build CostQuest’s database, but are unable to utilize database for their own benefit.

A federal judge ruled that CostQuest made no misrepresentations in its bid for the FCC mapping contract.

Better and more up-to-date information can come from harmonizing existing data sets, updated whenever a given map has new information.

North Carolina hopes to achieve 80 percent subscription to broadband services among its citizens.

There is an increasing worry that cities may be left out of the wealth of resources for broadband infrastructure spending.

Issues in contention include choice of technology for broadband deployment, labor rules, and interconnection agreements.

The FCC and the NTIA have been working to get more Americans connected faster via the ACP.

On August 24, Broadband Breakfast Editor and Publisher Drew Clark will return to the Land of Lincoln.

Wireless is essential because for truly remote properties, a physical connection may never be practical.

With service beginning in late September, non-profit fiber ISP aims to serve rural Gallatin County

The commission said it is helping communities prepare to apply for some of the $42.5B NTIA BEAD program.

Poles should be assessed for integrity to carry additional equipment, says director at engineering consulting firm.

TechFreedom cites Supreme Court’s EPA decision as limit on FCC authority to broaden agency fees.

The next big deadline: Planning fund applications for the BEAD program are due August 15, 2022.

The state is optimistic that multiple sources of funding from federal programs will close the digital divide.

‘The playbook [is] really a starting point to have these conversations with your state broadband offices.’

One of the biggest problems with getting broadband access to all Americans is not just deployment but adoption.

A bill would have the Commerce Secretary identify categories of personal data that could harm national security if exported.

Analyzing ACP enrollment can help the BEAD program solve the ‘persisting gap between deployment and subscription.’

39 states and territories have submitted letters of intent to participate in the NTIA’s Internet for All initiative.

Attendance at the fiber show jumped from 2,041 attendees last June to 2,854 registrants as of Friday.

The NTIA’s notice of funding opportunity stops short of explicitly endorsing municipal broadband as the preferred model.

State and federal broadband policy experts agreed that partnerships would be instrumental to spending $42.5 billion in broadband funds.

What are the downsides of having too many grant requirements?

Billions in funding from the infrastructure bill could go toward states for other objectives like cybersecurity.

US Ignite is pushing member organizations to apply for NTIA funding under the infrastructure bill.

In the absence of reliable federal broadband mapping data, communities are taking matters into their own hands.

Broadband Breakfast returns to one of the subjects that it knows best: Broadband mapping and data.

Alan Davidson says NOFO requires that grant recipients offer both low-cost service options and middle-class affordability plans.

The NTIA will press states to not lock out publicly-owned broadband project. If they do, they must disclose why.

Agency head Alan Davidson says communities “play a huge role” in build deployment.

NTIA’s Evan Feinman spoke about what states need to keep in mind as they prepare for BEAD funds.

Though most groups issued their support, others voiced reservations.

Fund disbursement procedures for three new federal broadband programs are now publicly available.

The long awaited notice of funding opportunity laid out the system for how each applicant program will be scored.

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) details parameters of Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.

Alan Davidson urges the importance of state activity in deploying broadband funds.

Digital literacy gap and lack of outreach are part of the digital divide.

Increased focus on middle mile is necessary for access to effective connectivity.

Money coming from the IIJA must be flexible and include extensive private contributions, Davidson said at Broadband Breakfast event.

Apple CEO is not a fan of the legislation that would allow third-parties to bypass Apple store payments.

Gary Bolton and Shirley Bloomfield called on NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson to prioritize applicant investing in “future-proof” fiber.

Some state laws, as written, may run counter to IIJA language and constrain the use of federal funds.

The playbook was discussed in a webinar Friday afternoon.

Those interested in federal money should engage in outreach, build solid teams, Broadband.Money head Jase Wilson said.

Debate at an NTIA event over whether or not funding should go to the middle-mile.

Attendees questioned how digital equity progress can be measured and how underserved populations are educated on technology use.

NTIA is likely to continue to oversee the $42.5 billion for broadband from the IIJA.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes billions for states to expand digital inclusion efforts.

Fiber-optic technology is the gold standard for home or commercial broadband, and powers wireless connectivity, too.

Mobile communication has become a central part internet connectivity.

The internet has the potential to impact, and also to enhance, society's democratization.

Whether licensed, unlicensed or shared, radio frequency spectrum is the critical resource for wireless communication.

Whether broadband providers may prioritize delivery of bits by the entities they own is a divisive topic.

Open Access networks separate network operations from internet services. Ownership may also be separate from operations.

The pandemic has prompted a new era of funding for broadband infrastructure.

Because Rural America is often the least-connected region in the country, ensuring coverage is central to BEAD.

Wireless technologies are critical for mobile communications, and for being able to reach remote locations.

Satellite broadband remains an option those areas beyond the reach of fiber, terrestrial or mobile wireless.

The Universal Service Fund, codified in 1996 with the Telecommunications Act, remains the foundation of universal access.

Cloud computing relies upon robust and high-speed upload and download internet speeds.

Tribal leaders say the federal government has failed to uphold its trust responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of Native American tribes.

The 5G wireless standard promises breakthrough in capacity, speed and dynamic spectrum-sharing capabilities.

Wireless Internet Service Providers play an important role in delivery of fixed wireless broadband.

We need humans to make digital inclusion work.

Technology, particularly broadband access and adoption, plays a vital role in K-12 and secondary education.

The innovations of telehealth and mobile health care has transformed medicine and health care.

Ensuring that emergency communications are enabled with broadband is the next frontier in public safety.

Broadband internet service allows many people to work from almost anywhere.

Digital locks and keys are necessary, but not sufficient, to ensure cybersecurity.

The scourge of robocalls is making America's once-vaunted telephone network less trustworthy.

The last three years have seen a dramatic increase in the number of communities building publicly-owned, locally controlled infrastructure.

The entire concept of privacy has been transformed by broadband and the internet.

Accurate broadband mapping and data has been central to America's broadband buildout.