Washington, DC (March 4, 2021) – Last week, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unanimously voted to adopt a Report and Order that establishes and implements a $3.2 billion federal digital inclusion program that provides qualifying households discounts on their internet service bills and an opportunity to receive a discount on a computer or tablet. The temporary Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) …
Policy Brief: FCC Tackles 5G Funding & TV White Spaces
Just before the final votes were cast in the 2020 election, the FCC held its Open Meeting on October 27 with a full agenda, tackling some of Chairman Ajit Pai’s priority items. Two such items will mean significant upgrades to connectivity in rural America as commissioners on both sides of the political aisle are committed to expanding funding and opportunities …
Policy Brief: FCC Extends E-Rate Deadlines Due to COVID-19
Washington, DC (April 2, 2020) – Yesterday, the FCC voted to adopt an Order extending E-Rate Program deadlines in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on schools and libraries across the country. The FCC stated that “to provide relief to E-Rate program participants affected by this unprecedented national pandemic, we temporarily waive and extend several E-Rate filing and …
Policy Brief: Congress Passes Broadband DATA Act
Washington, DC (March 20, 2020) – On March 10, 2020, Congress passed the Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability (DATA) Act, which set the stage for a sweeping reform on how broadband data is collected, verified, and mapped by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and builds upon the Digital Opportunity Data Collection (DODC) report and order that the FCC adopted in August …
POLICY BRIEF: An Update to Broadband Funding in Michigan
Lansing, MI. (September 24,2019) – This month, Connected Nation’s Michigan team and Policy staff worked to summarize federal funding for the State of Michigan by looking at the various programs impacting broadband deployment over the next decade. The FCC’s Connect America Fund subsidy programs, as well as USDA’s ReConnect Program will invest millions of dollars to expand access for unserved …
UPDATE: FCC Releases Report & Order on Broadband Data Collection
Washington, D.C. (August 15, 2019) – At the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) August 1 Open Meeting, the Commission approved a highly anticipated Report and Order and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the topic of broadband data collection and mapping. The Report and Order (Order) establishes the “Digital Opportunity Data Collection,” distinct from the current data collection process called …
POLICY BRIEF: FCC Proposes Cap to Universal Service Fund, Extends Comment Deadline
Washington, D.C. (July 10, 2019) – In May, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to seek comment on establishing a cap on the Universal Service Fund (USF) and, most recently, extended the deadline for comments on the proposal. This NPRM could impact the E-Rate and Rural Health Care funds and has raised some questions. There is some disagreement among …