The Senate voted 87-13 Tuesday to pass the compromise farm bill (HR-2), which contained several broadband provisions. The final legislation, which a Capitol Hill conference committee released Monday night, in some ways hews closer to an earlier Senate-passed farm bill (S-3042). Broadband provisions included in the final legislation got mixed industry reaction in statements. ITTA and other broadband groups had urged conferees to adopt elements of S-3042 that would revamp some Rural Utilities Service broadband funding programs (see 1809040074). The compromise HR-2 would increase annual funding for RUS broadband grant programs to $350 million for 2019-23. It annually would allocate $50 million for Community Connect grants, $10 million for rural middle-mile infrastructure grants and loans and $10 million for the Rural Gigabit Network Pilot Program, to be renamed the Innovative Broadband Advancement Program. HR-2 includes the Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act (HR-4881/S-2343), which would establish a task force to identify connectivity gaps in agricultural areas. HR-2 would require any RUS-funded project's proposed service area be at least 90 percent households with speeds of less than 10 Mbps download/1 Mbps upload. The legislation would codify the Agriculture Department's definition of minimum acceptable speed at 25/3. NTCA “strongly supports” the compromise HR-2, particularly “the substantial new grant program in the bill and the pains drafters took to ensure those resources won’t duplicate the work of other federal programs and private deployment,” said CEO Shirley Bloomfield. ITTA believes the RUS changes recognize “the importance and value of building strong, robust broadband networks in rural America,” said President Genny Morelli: It “remains troubled that the Report would allow for the use of RUS funds to overbuild existing providers receiving federal support” from USF programs.
The FCC plans to launch a 2018 quadrennial review, classify wireless messaging as an information service, pave the way for a new high-band 5G auction, and provide rural telcos with new USF support in exchange for more deployment of 25/3 Mbps broadband, at the Dec. 12 commissioners' meeting. It's targeting votes on items to create a reassigned phone number database to help against unwanted robocalling, further "modernize" broadcast rules and issue a communications market report. The wireless messaging (including short message service or SMS) and auction items weren't among those previously expected (see 1811190047), with the first item now getting criticism.
Telecom interests view the shift to split partisan control next Congress as improving prospects for compromise on a broadband title in a likely revisit of an infrastructure package. President Donald Trump and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said after the Democrats gained control of the House in last week's elections that they believe a deal is possible on infrastructure (see 1811070054). Democrats as of Tuesday won 228 House seats to the Republicans' 199, with eight races undecided. The GOP held a 51-47 Senate edge, with two races undecided.
Telecom interests view the shift to split partisan control next Congress as improving prospects for compromise on a broadband title in a likely revisit of an infrastructure package. President Donald Trump and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said after the Democrats gained control of the House in last week's elections that they believe a deal is possible on infrastructure (see 1811070054). Democrats as of Tuesday won 228 House seats to the Republicans' 199, with eight races undecided. The GOP held a 51-47 Senate edge, with two races undecided.
The FCC voted 4-0 to allow some rate-of-return rural telcos to choose incentive regulation for business data services, and to open rulemakings on the treatment of both RoR and price-cap carrier legacy transport. Commissioners gave eligible RoR carriers a second chance to opt into incentive regulation, instead of the single opportunity in a draft order with two Further NPRMs. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel concurred, supporting the outcome despite "analytical shortcomings." RLEC groups cheered.
The FCC voted 4-0 to allow some rate-of-return rural telcos to choose incentive regulation for business data services, and to open rulemakings on the treatment of both RoR and price-cap carrier legacy transport. Commissioners gave eligible RoR carriers a second chance to opt into incentive regulation, instead of the single opportunity in a draft order with two Further NPRMs. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel concurred, supporting the outcome despite "analytical shortcomings." RLEC groups cheered.
The FCC approved revised rules for the 3.5 GHz citizens broadband radio service band, as expected (see 1810160068), over a dissent by Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. Commissioner Mike O’Rielly, who crafted the revised rules, said changes were necessary to spark interest in the priority access licenses that will be sold as one tier of the band.
The FCC approved revised rules for the 3.5 GHz citizens broadband radio service band, as expected (see 1810160068), over a dissent by Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. Commissioner Mike O’Rielly, who crafted the revised rules, said changes were necessary to spark interest in the priority access licenses that will be sold as one tier of the band.
The FCC is thought likely to move forward on rules that bar use of money in any USF program to buy equipment or services from companies that “pose a national security threat” to U.S. communications networks or the communications supply chain. Commissioners approved an NPRM 5-0 in April (see 1804170038). CTIA and other carrier groups' comments raised concerns (see 1807050028), but industry officials said the FY 2019 National Defense Authorization Act may require FCC action.
The FCC is thought likely to move forward on rules that bar use of money in any USF program to buy equipment or services from companies that “pose a national security threat” to U.S. communications networks or the communications supply chain. Commissioners approved an NPRM 5-0 in April (see 1804170038). CTIA and other carrier groups' comments raised concerns (see 1807050028), but industry officials said the FY 2019 National Defense Authorization Act may require FCC action.