Industry and state broadband officials emphasized the need for better data on broadband availability and public-private partnerships as NTIA prepares to administer its broadband, equity, access and deployment program, speaking at USTelecom's broadband investment forum Wednesday. Some raised concerns about regulatory requirements in the BEAD program and ensuring state broadband offices are prepared to administer funding to subgrantees.
NEW ORLEANS -- State regulators’ telecom priority in the year ahead will be “trying to deploy where broadband isn’t,” said new NARUC President Michael Caron in an interview at the association’s conference here. Caron hopes new FCC broadband maps coming Friday will be more accurate and include more people who lack service, he said. On a Monday panel about the maps, state commissioners asked an FCC official if the agency is up to the task and what states can do to help.
The FCC encouraged entities interested in applying for the affordable connectivity program's outreach grants to present "innovative outreach strategies" that can be implemented at the multistate or national level, due to the limited funding available, said Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau staff during a webinar Tuesday. Attendees sought guidance on how to navigate the application process and how the bureau will base its funding decisions.
The House planned to vote as soon as Monday night on the Ensuring Phone and Internet Access Through Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program Act (HR-4275) under suspension of the rules, said the office of Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., Friday. HR-4275, previously known as the Ensuring Phone and Internet Access for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Recipients Act, would require the FCC to do a report on the number of SNAP participants enrolled in the Lifeline and affordable connectivity programs. The House Commerce Committee unanimously advanced the measure in July (see 2207130066).
Applications for the FCC's affordable connectivity program national outreach grants and tribal outreach grants are due by Jan. 9, said a notice of funding opportunity released Thursday (see 2209200076). A separate notice for the Your Home, Your Internet and ACP navigator pilot grant programs will be released Nov. 21, said a news release. "Our outreach partners have already demonstrated creativity, perseverance, and a continued commitment to ensuring everyone, everywhere has the internet connections they need," said Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, "and these outreach grants aim to supercharge those successful efforts.”
The electoral battle for control of Congress remained unresolved Thursday, but former FCC officials agree with other communications sector observers (see 2210310073) that Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel is likely to face less critical oversight if the GOP wins either chamber than would otherwise be expected because the current 2-2 split commission has spawned relatively little controversy. NTIA could face more of the heat, experts told us. Tech policy stakeholders, meanwhile, expect a shift in the direction on Big Tech-focused legislation under GOP majorities.
A coalition of industry groups proposed allowing providers participating in the FCC's affordable connectivity program the option to provide an "average net rate charged" to households for each tier of supported services in each five-digit ZIP code as part of the program's mandatory data collection. It would allow the commission to determine "at a geographically granular level" how many households are receiving service "with no out-of-pocket expense" and the average price for households that are "subscribing to broadband services that are not fully covered by the ACP benefit," said the Competitive Carriers Association, CTIA, NCTA and USTelecom in a letter posted Wednesday in docket 21-450. The mandatory collection could include a monthly rate for "each ACP-supported service tier" and the number of subscribers in a ZIP code, they said. The groups asked the FCC to disclose its data "on an aggregate basis" and within ranges for speeds or monthly data allowance to maintain providers' and consumer privacy. The groups also asked that data be aggregated to a higher geographic level if fewer than three providers are "in a geographic unit."
The FCC established a database connection with the Department of Veterans Affairs' Veterans Benefits Administration to improve access to the affordable connectivity program and Lifeline for veterans. It will "enable automatic eligibility verification" for veterans receiving qualifying pension benefits, said a news release Wednesday. Veterans won't need to submit additional eligibility documentation to enroll in either program if their eligibility is automatically determined by the national verifier. The initiative will "help our Veterans more easily get affordable online digital benefits that can open doors to education, health care and job opportunities,” said Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.
New York legislators could double down on a court-blocked state law that sought to require $15 monthly plans for low-income households. Assemblymember Brian Cunningham (D) plans to reintroduce his 2022 bill AB-10690 this January to require $5 monthly internet for low-income consumers, the Democrat said in an interview this week. Three ISP associations that sued New York over its previous affordability bill condemned the fresh attempt to lower broadband prices.
Communications Services for the Deaf asked the FCC to grant its petition to waive certain rules for the affordable connectivity program's outreach grants. The group sought a waiver to allow contractors of broadband providers to receive grants, telling an aide to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel the prohibition "fails to consider the purpose or functions of the contracts," said an ex parte filing posted Tuesday in docket 21-450. CSD asked the FCC to also consider adopting a "more narrowly tailored rule" exempting "non-profit, disability-centered organizations that provide accessibility services to broadband providers."