"Funding principles” for the anticipated infrastructure legislative package pending from President Donald Trump’s administration include language that would make telecom and broadband projects eligible for funding in limited circumstances, said a draft we obtained Monday. Trump may release the full infrastructure proposal around the time of his Jan. 30 State of the Union address, with Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., telling reporters last week a hearing on broadband issues could come soon after (see 1801170054).
Telcos backed and critics opposed FCC proposals for further wireline deregulation the agency believes would encourage broadband deployment. Cable interests and others supported a proposal to codify existing FCC precedent promoting "overlashing" of pole attachments, while electric utilities said they must have advanced notice and oversight to ensure system reliability and safety. Comments were posted Wednesday and Thursday in docket 17-84 on a Further NPRM. The notice was combined with an order that streamlined rules for copper retirements and service discontinuances, and that took steps to facilitate pole attachments (see 1711160032).
Telcos backed and critics opposed FCC proposals for further wireline deregulation the agency believes would encourage broadband deployment. Cable interests and others supported a proposal to codify existing FCC precedent promoting "overlashing" of pole attachments, while electric utilities said they must have advanced notice and oversight to ensure system reliability and safety. Comments were posted Wednesday and Thursday in docket 17-84 on a Further NPRM. The notice was combined with an order that streamlined rules for copper retirements and service discontinuances, and that took steps to facilitate pole attachments (see 1711160032).
A draft FCC order would give $500 million in new funding to cooperatives and other small rural carriers, and set "strong new rules to prevent abuse of the high-cost program," the agency said Tuesday. The item circulated by Chairman Ajit Pai to colleagues proposes changes intended to improve the high-cost USF program's "effectiveness and efficiency in promoting rural broadband deployment, including the use of a Tribal Broadband Factor to enable better access on Tribal lands," said a release. It contains a report and order, an order on reconsideration and an NPRM, an FCC official told us. An agency spokesman confirmed the tribal broadband factor proposal is in the NPRM.
A draft FCC order would give $500 million in new funding to cooperatives and other small rural carriers, and set "strong new rules to prevent abuse of the high-cost program," the agency said Tuesday. The item circulated by Chairman Ajit Pai to colleagues proposes changes intended to improve the high-cost USF program's "effectiveness and efficiency in promoting rural broadband deployment, including the use of a Tribal Broadband Factor to enable better access on Tribal lands," said a release. It contains a report and order, an order on reconsideration and an NPRM, an FCC official told us. An agency spokesman confirmed the tribal broadband factor proposal is in the NPRM.
The FCC solicited nominations for its Intergovernmental Advisory Committee, whose membership was recently doubled from 15 to 30 local, state and tribal government officials (see 1712200063). The FCC seeks to fill 18 seats, including three additional vacancies to replace Florida Public Service Commissioner Ronald Brisé, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Edwin Lee, mayor of the city and county of San Francisco; Brisé and Reed leave office this month and Lee "unfortunately passed away in December," said a public notice Thursday. Applications are due within 60 days.
The FCC Wireless Bureau declined a request from small carrier OTZ for additional time to build out the part of a cellular license to serve Ambler, Alaska. OTZ applied to add 10 locations to its license in 2007 and benefited from other extensions, said a Friday order. The initial deadline was 2008. “Although we have previously found it appropriate to provide OTZ relief with respect to this license, OTZ fails to demonstrate why a further extension of time … is warranted,” the bureau said. The difficulties OTZ said it encountered negotiating a site lease with the village and a local tribal council “are not circumstances beyond its control, as site selection is generally viewed as a voluntary business decision not warranting relief,” the bureau said. “OTZ has been aware of the need to acquire an appropriate site since it was first authorized to build the Ambler location in 2007.” The provider didn't comment.
FCC expansion of its Intergovernmental Advisory Committee will be effective upon Federal Register publication Monday, says a notice. Commissioner Mignon Clyburn dissented from December's decision to double membership of the body that advises on telecom issues affecting local, state and tribal interests (see 1712200063).
More than 50 federal and state officials and 200 rural telcos have sent letters in recent weeks to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai urging action by year-end on additional USF broadband subsidies for RLECs using the Alternative Connect America Model support mechanism, said an ITTA release Thursday. The group said if the commission increases funding up to $200 per month per eligible location in ACAM support, carriers could bring high-speed internet access to more than 70,000 currently unserved and underserved rural residences and businesses.
More than 50 federal and state officials and 200 rural telcos have sent letters in recent weeks to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai urging action by year-end on additional USF broadband subsidies for RLECs using the Alternative Connect America Model support mechanism, said an ITTA release Thursday. The group said if the commission increases funding up to $200 per month per eligible location in ACAM support, carriers could bring high-speed internet access to more than 70,000 currently unserved and underserved rural residences and businesses.