Weekly enrollments for the FCC emergency broadband benefit are beginning to slow, according to Universal Service Administrative Co. data. Some said in interviews last week the apparent slump may reflect lack of sufficient FCC leadership on EBB. Others said the initial surge in enrollment shows the level of interest in the program, and eligible households will continue signing up.
NTIA unveiled a broadband map Thursday. It shows broadband needs by county, minority-serving institutions, areas designated as high poverty and tribal lands. It “paints a sobering view” of broadband challenges, said Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. FCC acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel told reporters NTIA’s efforts are “significant” because more information is available and the commission is “making a big push” to create accurate maps. The new maps “struck me as curious,” Commissioner Brendan Carr told reporters Thursday. “We don’t need additional inaccurate maps,” Carr said, and it “underscores the need” for the FCC to complete its mapping process. “We’re glad the NTIA is out with this version of a map, but it’s not a substitute for the more accurate ‘fabric’ approach” that USTelecom backs, said CEO Jonathan Spalter in a statement: “The FCC’s map is the only project that will be so granular as to allow us to close the nation’s digital divide.”
NTIA unveiled a broadband map Thursday. It shows broadband needs by county, minority-serving institutions, areas designated as high poverty and tribal lands. It “paints a sobering view” of broadband challenges, said Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. FCC acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel told reporters NTIA’s efforts are “significant” because more information is available and the commission is “making a big push” to create accurate maps. The new maps “struck me as curious,” Commissioner Brendan Carr told reporters Thursday. “We don’t need additional inaccurate maps,” Carr said, and it “underscores the need” for the FCC to complete its mapping process. “We’re glad the NTIA is out with this version of a map, but it’s not a substitute for the more accurate ‘fabric’ approach” that USTelecom backs, said CEO Jonathan Spalter in a statement: “The FCC’s map is the only project that will be so granular as to allow us to close the nation’s digital divide.”
Broadband maps "are not what they should be," said FCC acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel during a Historically Black Colleges and Universities Caucus virtual panel Wednesday. It's "vital" the FCC start developing maps with more precise data, Rosenworcel said, adding that universities have an opportunity to participate: "There's no one better equipped to start telling us if in fact there's service in a place or not" (see 2102260046). Total connectivity should be a "national goal," Rosenworcel told the congressional caucus, citing affordability as a "huge crisis" in the digital divide. The emergency broadband benefit program is a "really terrific tool we have now to get more students connected," Rosenworcel said. "The most important thing is that we get the word out," about EBB and other COVID-19-related broadband programs, she said, and the commission partnered with the Department of Education to send email notices to Pell Grant recipients about their EBB eligibility.
Broadband maps "are not what they should be," said FCC acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel during a Historically Black Colleges and Universities Caucus virtual panel Wednesday. It's "vital" the FCC start developing maps with more precise data, Rosenworcel said, adding that universities have an opportunity to participate: "There's no one better equipped to start telling us if in fact there's service in a place or not" (see 2102260046). Total connectivity should be a "national goal," Rosenworcel told the congressional caucus, citing affordability as a "huge crisis" in the digital divide. The emergency broadband benefit program is a "really terrific tool we have now to get more students connected," Rosenworcel said. "The most important thing is that we get the word out," about EBB and other COVID-19-related broadband programs, she said, and the commission partnered with the Department of Education to send email notices to Pell Grant recipients about their EBB eligibility.
Patron data retention and reporting requirements for the FCC’s $7.17 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund could lead otherwise eligible libraries to opt out of the program (see 2105260048), stakeholders said in recent interviews. With the first application filing window scheduled to open June 29, groups are asking the FCC to clarify whether libraries can maintain alternate records. The agency largely followed E-rate rules requiring participants to keep records for 10 years. In addition to the type of services or devices provided, schools and libraries would need to maintain records of the names and addresses served.
Telecom providers back USTelecom's robocall blocking petition for reconsideration (see 2105200074), in replies posted Tuesday in FCC docket 17-59. "Adopt a flexible approach to notification that would allow for, but not be limited to, returning specific [session initiation protocol] SIP codes when calls are blocked," CTIA said. "Rather than codifying unfinished standards work, the commission should defer to the ongoing, collaborative standards process." NCTA agreed and said the Jan. 1 implementation deadline "risks forcing providers to choose between offering consumers robust robocall mitigation tools or suspending such tools over concerns about compliance with return code mandates." Comments showed the "uncertain state of the standards" in the notification requirement, USTelecom said. An industry task force approval of industry standards is "at best, the beginning of the process," the telecom association said. Somos, the current toll-free numbering administrator and North American numbering plan administrator, echoed Lumen that there's "no value to notifying calling parties when their calls are blocked by analytic engines" (see 2106070051). Somos said calls blocked on the do not originate list shouldn't be included in notification to calling parties when such a call is blocked. Verizon said opposition to USTelecom's petition is based on "several flaws." The order on robocall blocking doesn't define what a legitimate caller or bad actor is, Verizon said, and "even some legal callers routinely take action to bypass blocking ... when they detect that their calls may have triggered blocking algorithms."
Telecom providers back USTelecom's robocall blocking petition for reconsideration (see 2105200074), in replies posted Tuesday in FCC docket 17-59. "Adopt a flexible approach to notification that would allow for, but not be limited to, returning specific [session initiation protocol] SIP codes when calls are blocked," CTIA said. "Rather than codifying unfinished standards work, the commission should defer to the ongoing, collaborative standards process." NCTA agreed and said the Jan. 1 implementation deadline "risks forcing providers to choose between offering consumers robust robocall mitigation tools or suspending such tools over concerns about compliance with return code mandates." Comments showed the "uncertain state of the standards" in the notification requirement, USTelecom said. An industry task force approval of industry standards is "at best, the beginning of the process," the telecom association said. Somos, the current toll-free numbering administrator and North American numbering plan administrator, echoed Lumen that there's "no value to notifying calling parties when their calls are blocked by analytic engines" (see 2106070051). Somos said calls blocked on the do not originate list shouldn't be included in notification to calling parties when such a call is blocked. Verizon said opposition to USTelecom's petition is based on "several flaws." The order on robocall blocking doesn't define what a legitimate caller or bad actor is, Verizon said, and "even some legal callers routinely take action to bypass blocking ... when they detect that their calls may have triggered blocking algorithms."
Rural healthcare providers want to begin participating in the FCC Connected Care Program, which is expected to get commissioners' approval on Thursday, agency and industry officials said in interviews last week. The $100 million, three-year pilot will help boost access to healthcare, experts said.
Rural healthcare providers want to begin participating in the FCC Connected Care Program, which is expected to get commissioners' approval on Thursday, agency and industry officials said in interviews last week. The $100 million, three-year pilot will help boost access to healthcare, experts said.