The end seems nigh for affordable connectivity program (ACP) funding, with dicey odds of Congress acting before its money runs out in early 2024, speakers said Wednesday at ACA Connects' 2023 Washington summit. Small cable operator participation in the broadband equity, access and deployment (BEAD) program will depend on the rules governing it, they said.
Standard General Managing Partner Soohyung Kim vowed to continue pursuing the purchase of Tegna and urged the FCC to vote on the deal, in a release Monday, but Tegna’s earnings earnings release that morning said the company is “currently evaluating its options.”
Industry groups and consumer advocacy organizations disagree about how the FCC should define digital discrimination and ways to facilitate equal access to broadband, according to comments posted through Wednesday in docket 22-69. The commission adopted an NPRM in December seeking comment on rules to combat digital discrimination, as required by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (see 2301190049).
Consumer advocacy groups and industry disagreed about whether the FCC should adopt additional requirements for its new broadband labels as the latest version is currently being implemented (see 2211180077). Some industry groups urged the commission to wait until the new labels are being used and can be evaluated for effectiveness before making any revisions. Comments were posted through Friday in docket 22-2.
Broadband industry officials Wednesday stressed the need for Congress to take an active role in broadband deployment and adoption efforts, before NTIA's broadband, equity, access, and deployment program and other recent federal investments. Some during a Broadband Breakfast webinar emphasized the role of fiber as states consider their plans and proper vetting of the FCC's new broadband maps.
While the lineup of cable operators providing mobile service grows, with others likely to follow, most will rely on mobile virtual network operators and their own Wi-Fi networks to provide the service rather than become more active in acquiring spectrum for their own wireless networks, wireless and cable experts tell us.
Industry groups asked the FCC to either clarify or reconsider parts of rules for the commission's consumer broadband labels. Some in comments posted Wednesday in docket 22-2 expressed concerns about the types of services and details required in the labels. Commissioners adopted the new labels in November, largely mirroring those established in 2016 (see 2211180077).
Procedural concerns could complicate a case at the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on a New York law requiring affordable broadband. At oral argument Thursday in Manhattan, Judge Richard Sullivan grilled parties on a procedural maneuver they used to move the case to the 2nd Circuit from the trial court. Sullivan asked New York’s attorney tough questions on the state’s argument that its law isn’t preempted.
Consumer advocacy organizations and industry lobbied the FCC to make some changes to a draft NPRM aimed at combating digital discrimination, before the agency's Wednesday meeting. Commissioners will consider the item as required by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The item stems from a notice of inquiry the FCC adopted earlier this year. It received mixed comments from advocates and industry on the extent of digital discrimination and possible solutions (see 2205170071).
ACA Connects promotes Brian Hurley to chief regulatory counsel … Sinclair promotes Scott Shapiro to executive vice president-corporate development and strategy ... Alpha and Omega Semiconductor promotes President Stephen Chang to CEO, effective March 1, when current Chairman-CEO Mike Chang becomes executive chairman ... Zoomd Technologies names Ido Almany, ex-American Express, CEO to succeed Ofer Eitan, who previously announced he was stepping down, but will remain a board member.