ACA Connects has issued an updated version of its broadband equity, access and deployment framework, incorporating actual NTIA BEAD funding amounts. The latest version estimates the number of locations eligible for BEAD funding and how many of those can be covered with fiber and other broadband technologies, ACA said.
Industry groups supported a March petition by the Competitive Carriers Association seeking tweaks to the FCC’s 911 outage reporting rules, approved 4-0 by commissioners last year (see 2211170051). APCO and the Boulder Regional Emergency Telephone Service Authority (BRETSA) opposed the petition in the initial comment round (see 2306270045). But most groups waited for the reply round to weigh in.
NTIA released final guidance Wednesday for the broadband, equity, access and deployment program's state challenge process (see 2306260007). States and territories are required to include a challenge process in their initial proposals where other entities can "challenge whether a location or community anchor institution is eligible for BEAD funding," said a news release. The agency sought comment on its proposed guidance template and made some revisions based on feedback from 61 stakeholders. “ACA Connects appreciates NTIA’s diligence in reviewing the many comments and revising the proposed guidance," commented CEO Grant Spellmeyer: "All stakeholders agree that this process is critical to ensure that the limited BEAD funds are targeted to bringing high-performance broadband to locations that are truly unserved and underserved."
State broadband officials are eager to move forward on NTIA's broadband, equity, access and deployment program following the agency's announcement Monday of each state's funding totals (see 2306260007). Industry and advocates also emphasized the need for more participation in the FCC's affordable connectivity program so households can take advantage of new or upgraded infrastructure in their communities.
NTIA announced funding allocations for its broadband, equity, access, and deployment program Monday. All entities will receive a formal notice of their allocations Friday, the agency said. The $42.5 billion program will be used for broadband deployment efforts, adoption and workforce development. Initial proposals may be submitted from July 1 through Dec. 1. States and territories will have access to 20% of their allocated funds once their proposal is approved by NTIA. Texas is receiving by far the largest BEAD award, at more than $3.3 billion.
ACA Connects names Bill Tortoriello, ex-UScellular and AT&T, director-regulatory affairs … Aviatrix cloud networking company hires Splunk CEO Doug Merritt as CEO-president, succeeding Steve Mullaney; Merritt also becomes board chairman … Dish announces resignation of Executive Vice President-Chief Operating Officer Narayan Iyengar, saying he will provide “transition support for a brief period of time” … Communications security platform Pavion promotes Alan Rosenkoff to chief marketing officer ... PCTel elects Ocolo’s Anthony Rossabi, also ex-Recovery Point Systems CEO, to its board ... Postmedia names lead director Peter Sharpe interim chair, replacing departed Executive Chair Jamie Irving.
The FCC's proposed "all-in" video pricing rules for cable and direct broadcast satellite (DBS) operators' bills and promotional materials wouldn't cover other MVPDs, though the agency in the NPRM adopted last week and released Tuesday seeks comment on whether such rules should also cover them, and whether it has the authority to do so. Consumer advocates expected the item on circulation to pass (see 2303270043). NCTA, ACA Connects, DirecTV and Dish Network didn't comment.
The NAB-stewarded, FCC-involved task force intended to iron out the ATSC 3.0 transition -- The Future of TV Initiative – kicks off Monday at NAB’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. The meetings (see 2304170056) are closed to the press, and neither NAB nor the FCC would say who from the agency is participating or in what capacity, but the entities invited to attend seem optimistic, if scant on details. “I don’t think we know enough to say how it will go, but we’re cautiously intrigued,” said Kathleen Burke, task force participant and Public Knowledge policy counsel. “We are hoping that the process clears the way for the FCC to resolve any outstanding regulatory issues so that the NEXTGEN TV transition is accomplished in an expedited manner," emailed Lonna Thompson, general counsel for task force participant America’s Public Television Stations.
Industry, state officials and advocacy organizations welcomed FCC proposals aimed at closing a loophole in robocall rules and addressing Stir/Shaken caller ID authentication, in comments posted Tuesday in docket 17-97 (see 2303160061). Most commenters agreed the commission should allow use of third-party authentication solutions without minimal restrictions.
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) appoints Wesley Bennett, commissioner-Department of Local Government Finance, to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, effective June 26; replacing Stefanie Krevda, who stepped down … Public Service Commission of West Virginia promotes Andy Gallagher to communications director … Alan Chartock retires as WAMC Albany president-CEO; Operations and Engineering Director Stacey Rosenberry is interim CEO … CBS Stations promotes Kari Patey to vice president-producer development for 14 CBS local newsrooms across country, new position; she remains vice president-news director, CBS News Minnesota, until successor is found.