Industry, policymakers and consumer advocates are seeking new ways to expand Lifeline enrollment and benefits in response to the public health and economic crisis, we're told. Some advocates are pursuing emergency funding to provide a more robust residential broadband Lifeline benefit to meet the demands of working and learning at home. Stay-at-home orders put restraints on Lifeline promotion and enrollment.
Commissioners approved an NPRM Thursday on the proposed 5G Fund over partial dissents by Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks, as expected (see 2004200063). Both said the NPRM offers a false choice and the FCC can’t rely on bad maps or wait until 2023 or later to start offering support. Commissioner Mike O’Rielly supported the NPRM, but also had concerns. Members met via teleconference, for the second month during COVID-19.
Commissioners approved an NPRM Thursday on the proposed 5G Fund over partial dissents by Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks, as expected (see 2004200063). Both said the NPRM offers a false choice and the FCC can’t rely on bad maps or wait until 2023 or later to start offering support. Commissioner Mike O’Rielly supported the NPRM, but also had concerns. Members met via teleconference, for the second month during COVID-19.
Some want more clarity about the FCC's role regulating broadband, said comments posted through Tuesday. The agency asked to refresh dockets including 17-287, on how broadband service's reclassification as an information, not telecom, service affects authority over Lifeline, pole attachment agreements and public safety. Commenters disagreed whether the FCC should reconsider based on the public safety considerations.
The FCC appears to be split 3-2 on the 5G Fund NPRM, scheduled for a vote Thursday. Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks are said to be concerned about Chairman Ajit Pai's proposed approach. Rosenworcel questioned that approach when it was unveiled earlier this month (see 2004010065).
The California Public Utilities Commission plans a broadband workshop Thursday about changes to the California Advanced Services Fund, the agency said last week as it received comments and replies on CASF issues including coronavirus response in docket R.12-10-012. Revamp CASF, the Greenlining Institute commented Wednesday. “The broadband landscape has changed significantly since 2012, and CASF’s goal of universal connectivity is more important than ever.” The California Emerging Technology Fund agreed: “The same sense of urgency needed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic should be brought to the ongoing administration of CASF.” CASF "funding should not be awarded in areas where infrastructure already is funded by federal or any other public programs,” the California Cable & Telecommunications Association commented. Target it to “the build out of infrastructure only in areas that remain unserved.” CCTA complained mapping and challenge process sometimes lead to flagging served areas as unserved. Don't stop matching support with “other grants, loans, local government bonds or private contributions for broadband projects,” countered the Rural County Representatives of California. The Utility Reform Network agreed applications should be able to combine state and federal funding. The Central Coast Broadband Consortium local government group said there’s “no blanket prohibition” on combining grant sources, though there’s “properly a prohibition on a grantee receiving payment from one grant source for an eligible expense that has already been paid by another.” The COVID-19 “pandemic has brought to the forefront glaring gaps in digital equity -- broadband availability and affordability and digital literacy,” the state library replied on CASF and the virus. “Augmenting, as we are now, is a powerful stopgap, but it is only part of the long-term solution.” Thursday’s webcast begins at 10 a.m. PDT.
T-Mobile/Sprint got its final OK, as California Public Utilities Commissioners voted 5-0 Thursday for a revised proposal that reasserted the agency’s authority to review the deal and adjusted some conditions (see 2004150058). The Utility Reform Network (TURN) said it's disappointed the CPUC didn’t punish carriers for closing their deal two weeks before the scheduled vote.
T-Mobile/Sprint got its final OK, as California Public Utilities Commissioners voted 5-0 Thursday for a revised proposal that reasserted the agency’s authority to review the deal and adjusted some conditions (see 2004150058). The Utility Reform Network (TURN) said it's disappointed the CPUC didn’t punish carriers for closing their deal two weeks before the scheduled vote.
State regulators will scrutinize Frontier Communications as the midsize carrier goes through bankruptcy, commissioners told us Wednesday. Some felt reassured by the company pledging uninterrupted service and no change to selling some systems in the U.S. Northwest and West.
The FCC Wireline Bureau granted limited waiver on broadband performance test report Connect America Fund Phase II requirements, said an order Friday. "Reasonable assumptions" on speed and latency information required by Universal Service Administrative Co. are OK, it said.