The FCC approved 5-0 allowing broadband in 900 MHz, reallocating a 6 MHz swath while keeping 4 MHz for narrowband. Commissioners voted electronically (see 2005130008) before Wednesday's abbreviated virtual meeting, as expected (see 2005070054). Anterix executives said the spectrum could help utilities across the U.S. update operations and move to a smart grid.
The California Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously to provide $5 million from the California Advanced Services Fund adoption account to public schools and school districts in response to COVID-19 (see 2004200041). The draft order was adopted Thursday as part of the consent agenda at the livestreamed meeting conducted by videoconference with dial-in public comments. CPUC members also unanimously adopted a resolution to send nearly $11 million from the CASF infrastructure fund to a middle-mile broadband project covering tribal lands in Humboldt County. Policymakers should treat broadband as a basic utility and seek to empower local government and tribal solutions, said Commissioner Martha Aceves Guzman. In Minnesota, Sen. Patricia Torres Ray (D) introduced SF-4580 to spend $8 million on distance-learning grants this fiscal year. Minnesota senators passed SF-4494 earlier this week (see 2005050008). The House version of SF-4494 is HF-3029, but the chamber also proposed HF-1507, including $15 million for education, plus the same telehealth and rural broadband funding as the other bills.
The California Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously to provide $5 million from the California Advanced Services Fund adoption account to public schools and school districts in response to COVID-19 (see 2004200041). The draft order was adopted Thursday as part of the consent agenda at the livestreamed meeting conducted by videoconference with dial-in public comments. CPUC members also unanimously adopted a resolution to send nearly $11 million from the CASF infrastructure fund to a middle-mile broadband project covering tribal lands in Humboldt County. Policymakers should treat broadband as a basic utility and seek to empower local government and tribal solutions, said Commissioner Martha Aceves Guzman. In Minnesota, Sen. Patricia Torres Ray (D) introduced SF-4580 to spend $8 million on distance-learning grants this fiscal year. Minnesota senators passed SF-4494 earlier this week (see 2005050008). The House version of SF-4494 is HF-3029, but the chamber also proposed HF-1507, including $15 million for education, plus the same telehealth and rural broadband funding as the other bills.
Extend the window for tribes to apply for free 2.5 GHz licenses, before an eventual auction, FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel tweeted Wednesday. The window opened Feb. 3 and closes Aug. 3. “The FCC has an amazing one-time opportunity for Tribes in rural areas to access spectrum and build their own broadband networks,” Rosenworcel said: “But the window for action is during a national crisis. The agency has extended other deadlines. It should extend this one too.”
As the coronavirus pandemic heightens the need for ubiquitous broadband access, some want the FCC to hurry release of Rural Digital Opportunity Fund money. Possible measures include moving the auction date earlier than the proposed Oct. 22, or a quick review of RDOF applications deemed shovel-ready. Some small providers are concerned they won't have enough time to review available census blocks and make prudent bids due to scheduling conflicts stemming from COVID-19. They are seeking an auction delay. Consensus indicates neither an auction delay nor accelerated timetable is likely, we found in interviews this month.
With COVID-19 disproportionately affecting minority and disadvantaged communities, the FCC Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment's working groups adjusted their focus to grapple with the pandemic, according to work plans presented Tuesday at the group’s teleconferenced first meeting under its new charter. Along with reacting to the virus, the committee’s working groups laid out plans for workshops and events aimed at increasing diversity among communications companies. “When the country catches a cold, the most vulnerable catch the flu,” said Brookings Institution Fellow Nicol Turner-Lee and Diversity in Tech WG chair.
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.
More than 85% of Americans have access to fixed terrestrial broadband at speeds of 250/25 Mbps, said an FCC 2020 broadband deployment report Friday. The number of rural Americans with that access more than tripled from 2016 to 2018, it said. But Democratic commissioners and some consumer advocates question the findings that broadband is deployed in a reasonable and timely manner, saying the COVID-19 pandemic put the digital divide in stark relief.
More than 85% of Americans have access to fixed terrestrial broadband at speeds of 250/25 Mbps, said an FCC 2020 broadband deployment report Friday. The number of rural Americans with that access more than tripled from 2016 to 2018, it said. But Democratic commissioners and some consumer advocates question the findings that broadband is deployed in a reasonable and timely manner, saying the COVID-19 pandemic put the digital divide in stark relief.
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.