The House Agriculture Committee voted unanimously to advance the Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act (HR-4374) that committee leaders hope to attach to the coming infrastructure spending package. President Joe Biden rallied Senate Democrats Wednesday to back a $3.5 trillion package party leaders aim to pass via budget reconciliation along with a bipartisan infrastructure plan he supports with $65 billion for broadband (see 2106240070).
NTIA plans a series of webinars on its new broadband grant programs, says Tuesday's Federal Register. Webinars on the broadband infrastructure program will be Aug. 4-5; on the tribal broadband connectivity program Aug. 11-12 and Aug. 23-24 (see 2106030065); and on the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Aug. 18-19, Sept. 22-23 and Oct. 20-21. All webinars start at 2:30 p.m. EDT.
The FCC Office of Native Affairs and Policy and the Wireline Bureau scheduled a virtual training and listening session for tribal leaders on the Emergency Connectivity Fund July 15 from 2-4 p.m. EDT, said a public notice in Thursday’s Daily Digest. The event will also be live-streamed on the commission’s YouTube channel.
The FCC Native Nations Communications Task Force’s term was extended until Oct. 24, 2022, taking into account the five new tribal members, said a public notice in Monday’s Daily Digest. Nominations to fill three vacancies on the task force are due by Aug. 27 to native@fcc.gov.
The FCC Wireline Bureau extended to Sept. 30 the deadline for Lifeline documentation requirements for subscribers in rural areas on tribal lands, including reverification, recertification, de-enrollment and income, said an order in Monday’s Daily Digest. The bureau directed the Universal Service Administrative Co. to not de-enroll any subscriber for failing to respond to a documentation request if the given deadline was on or before Sept. 30. The bureau previously extended the deadline to June 30 (see 2102250022).
The FCC Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment will be rechartered with a broader focus as the Communications Equity and Diversity Council, acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced Thursday at the virtual, final meeting of ACDDE’s current charter. “The Council’s mission will expand from its initial focus on the media ecosystem to review more broadly critical diversity and equity issues across the tech sector,” said an agency news release Thursday. One meeting vote was divisive.
FCC emergency broadband benefit enrollment for eligible tribal households continues to decline (see 2106180041). More than 71,000 tribal households have enrolled so far. In the first full week, more than 26,000 tribal households enrolled. During the week of June 14-20, that dropped to 5,076. The lack of broadband availability and questions about EBB mechanics are an obstacle, stakeholders said in interviews.
NTIA unveiled a broadband map Thursday. It shows broadband needs by county, minority-serving institutions, areas designated as high poverty and tribal lands. It “paints a sobering view” of broadband challenges, said Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. FCC acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel told reporters NTIA’s efforts are “significant” because more information is available and the commission is “making a big push” to create accurate maps. The new maps “struck me as curious,” Commissioner Brendan Carr told reporters Thursday. “We don’t need additional inaccurate maps,” Carr said, and it “underscores the need” for the FCC to complete its mapping process. “We’re glad the NTIA is out with this version of a map, but it’s not a substitute for the more accurate ‘fabric’ approach” that USTelecom backs, said CEO Jonathan Spalter in a statement: “The FCC’s map is the only project that will be so granular as to allow us to close the nation’s digital divide.”
NTIA unveiled a broadband map Thursday. It shows broadband needs by county, minority-serving institutions, areas designated as high poverty and tribal lands. It “paints a sobering view” of broadband challenges, said Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. FCC acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel told reporters NTIA’s efforts are “significant” because more information is available and the commission is “making a big push” to create accurate maps. The new maps “struck me as curious,” Commissioner Brendan Carr told reporters Thursday. “We don’t need additional inaccurate maps,” Carr said, and it “underscores the need” for the FCC to complete its mapping process. “We’re glad the NTIA is out with this version of a map, but it’s not a substitute for the more accurate ‘fabric’ approach” that USTelecom backs, said CEO Jonathan Spalter in a statement: “The FCC’s map is the only project that will be so granular as to allow us to close the nation’s digital divide.”
CTA raised concerns as FCC commissioners approved 4-0 Thursday an NPRM and notice of inquiry that would further clamp down on gear from companies deemed to pose a security risk in U.S. networks. Commissioners said several questions were added since a draft of the item circulated, as expected (see 2106090063).