The FCC Broadband Data Task Force and Office of Native Affairs and Policy scheduled a webinar July 26 at 2 p.m. EDT on the broadband data collection system for tribal leaders, tribal ISPs and other tribal filers, said a public notice in Tuesday's Daily Digest. The webinar will provide an overview of the filing system and use the broadband serviceable location fabric.

Public Knowledge Senior Vice President Harold Feld applauded the FCC for extending the performance deadlines last week for 2.5 GHz tribal licensees (see 2207080037). Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and the Wireless Bureau “deserve credit for reversing an injustice,” Feld emailed: “It is even more commendable that the Wireless Bureau did this on its own motion. It was unfair to give Tribes -- who lack the same access to capital and experienced work force as the private sector -- half the time allotted to the private sector to meet their build out obligations.” The deadlines “went from unfair to outrageous after Covid hit, which both showed the need for Tribal networks while further reducing the resources available to meet the accelerated build out schedule,” he said.

FCC rules creating the enhanced competition incentive program haven’t been controversial since circulated by Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and are expected to be approved Thursday with minimal changes, industry and FCC officials said. The rules proposed don’t differ significantly from what was in a November Further NPRM (see 2111180071). Industry observers see a lack of enthusiasm on the program.

The FCC Wireless Bureau waived the tribal-specific interim and final performance deadlines for all 2.5 GHz rural tribal priority window licensees. Tribal window licensees still must make an interim showing within four years of the initial license grant and a final showing within eight years, though “they need not wait until the relevant deadlines approach to make their filings,” the bureau said Friday. The FCC had required an interim showing within two years, the final showing within five. So far, the bureau said it has granted 335 licenses to entities “representing more than 350 unique Tribes in 30 states.” The bureau said it took the step because of problems beyond the control of the tribes. “While the COVID-19 pandemic made clear the vital importance of broadband to Tribal communities, it also disproportionally impacted Tribes, resulting in personnel and resource barriers that have exacerbated existing challenges to deploying communications services in those communities,” the waiver order said: “Supply chain issues have made it more difficult for some Tribes to obtain wireless and related infrastructure equipment, and increased prices for the equipment that is available.” The application window closed in September 2020 (see 2008210050). Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks, Public Knowledge and tribal groups pushed for keeping the window open longer due to the COVID-19 pandemic (see 2007310066).

The FCC Wireline Bureau wants comments by Aug. 1, replies Aug. 16, on an interagency agreement among the commission, USDA and NTIA, said a public notice in Tuesday's Daily Digest. Under the agreement, which was signed in June 2021, the agencies are required to coordinate on broadband deployment and share information about current and planned projects. The notice seeks comment on the effectiveness of the agreement and availability of state, local and tribal data on deployment.

The FCC Wireline Bureau extended through Sept. 30 its waiver of Lifeline recertification and reverification requirements for subscribers residing on tribal lands, said an order Thursday in docket 11-42 (see 2206090074). The bureau cited "unique circumstances" faced by those subscribers and let other Lifeline COVID-19 pandemic waivers expire as scheduled Thursday.

Government entities seeking access to the FCC’s broadband serviceable location data should submit their information through the broadband data collection system so staff can review and share that information with CostQuest, said Chelsea Fallon, FCC Broadband Data Task Force senior implementation officer, during a webinar Wednesday providing guidance on how to submit broadband availability data once the system opens Thursday (see 2206150063). CostQuest will then send a fabric licensing agreement and login information for the entity, Fallon said. Consultants and third-party vendors acting on behalf of a state or local government may also gain access through the same process, said Office of Economics and Analytics Attorney-Adviser Jonathan McCormack. All facilities-based providers, including tribal and local governments, are required to register in the system, McCormack said. The FCC will make the data from its initial public broadband data maps available to the public to download and complete their own analysis “once the map is live," he said. Fallon encouraged filers to check their polygons against the broadband serviceable location fabric, which will "help later on in the challenge process."

A bipartisan group of House Science Committee members announced the introduction of a bill meant to grow and retain a “diverse, flexible, and sustainable chips workforce.” Introduced Wednesday by House Research and Technology Subcommittee Chair Haley Stevens, D-Mich., with Reps. Dan Kildee, D-Mich.; Mike Waltz, R-Fla.; and Anthony Gonzalez, R-Ohio, the Chipping in Act would establish National Science Foundation awards for “institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations and consortia to advance innovative approaches to developing, improving, and expanding evidence-based microelectronics education and workforce development activities.” The bill creates training programs for students who pursue microelectronics in post-graduate programs, prioritizing historically black colleges and universities, tribal colleges and other minority-serving schools.

A bipartisan group of House Science Committee members announced the introduction of a bill meant to grow and retain a “diverse, flexible, and sustainable chips workforce.” Introduced Wednesday by House Research and Technology Subcommittee Chair Haley Stevens, D-Mich., with Reps. Dan Kildee, D-Mich.; Mike Waltz, R-Fla.; and Anthony Gonzalez, R-Ohio, the Chipping in Act would establish National Science Foundation awards for “institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations and consortia to advance innovative approaches to developing, improving, and expanding evidence-based microelectronics education and workforce development activities.” The bill creates training programs for students who pursue microelectronics in post-graduate programs, prioritizing historically black colleges and universities, tribal colleges and other minority-serving schools.

The California Public Utilities Commission received much feedback from telecom companies, consumer advocates and local governments on possible changes to California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) broadband infrastructure account rules. The CPUC received comments Monday on changes proposed June 7 to the state-funded last-mile program as part of a wider California broadband effort (see 2205250045). The CPUC adopted rules in April for a last-mile program using federal funding (see 2204210046).