Benton Institute for Broadband & Society - Federal Communications Commission

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel

Author:

Send date:

Wed, 09/27/2023

Daily Digest:

Cybersecurity and Cyberwarfare

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Include summary in newsletter email:

Publish Date:

Tue, 09/26/2023

Coverage Type:

Speech

Agenda

Upcoming policy issue

Emergency Communications

Regulatory classification

Legislation

Communications Act of 1934

https://www.fcc.gov/document/chairwoman-rosenworcel-proposes-restore-net-neutral…

FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel Proposes to Restore Net Neutrality Rules to Re-Establish the FCC's Authority Over Broadband Providers Under Title II

benton — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 19:28:29 +0000

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel proposed that the FCC take the first procedural steps toward reaffirming rules that would treat broadband internet service as an essential service for American life. As work, healthcare, education, commerce, and so much more have moved online, no American household or business should need to function without reliable internet service. This was especially true during the pandemic. Such rules would affirm—under Title II of the Communications Act—that broadband service is on par with water, power, and phone service; that is: essential. The proposed rules would return fixed and mobile broadband service to its status as an essential “telecommunications” service. The proposal will be made public and will allow for public input. The proposal seeks to largely return to the successful rules the FCC adopted in 2015. The Chairwoman shared with her colleagues a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. If adopted by a vote of the full FCC at its monthly meeting on October 19, 2023, the agency will begin a new rulemaking to take public comment and reply comments on the proposal. Any person or organization can file comments and see others’ comments at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs. After a review of that public record, the Chairwoman can decide whether and how to proceed, including adopting final rules which would also require a majority vote of the bipartisan FCC.

Benton Content:

Teaser:

"We have a window to update our policies to make sure that the internet is not only open, but fast and fair, safe and secure."

Source:

Send date:

Wed, 09/27/2023

Daily Digest:

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Include summary in newsletter email:

Publish Date:

Tue, 09/26/2023

Coverage Type:

Agenda

Upcoming policy issue

Regulatory classification

Internet/Broadband

https://www.fcc.gov/document/commissioner-gomez-announces-staff

Network Neutrality

Commissioner Gomez Announces Staff

benton — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 12:25:26 +0000

The following individuals will serve in FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez's office in acting capacities:

Deena Shetler, Acting Chief of Staff and Legal Advisor for Media and International. Deena joins Commissioner Gomez’s staff from the office of Chairwoman Rosenworcel, where she served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration. She has held numerous leadership roles at the FCC including Deputy Chief of the Office of Economics and Analytics, Deputy Managing Director, Associate Chief of the Wireline Competition Bureau, and as a Legal Advisor to Commissioner Gloria Tristani. Deena served on details to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) from 2010 to 2011 and to the Department of Justice Antitrust Division from 2016-2017. Deena joined the FCC in 1996 as an attorney in the Common Carrier Bureau. Prior to joining the FCC, she was an associate at Howrey and Simon in Washington DC and Los Angeles. Deena received her J.D., Order of the Coif, from University of California Los Angeles School of Law, and her B.A. from University of California San Diego.

Edyael Casaperalta, Acting Legal Advisor for Wireless, Public Safety and Consumer Protection. Edyael joins Commissioner Gomez’s staff from the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, where she served as Chief of Staff. Edyael has extensive experience working on broadband access issues as an attorney and a consumer advocate. Prior to joining the FCC, Edyael served in Federal Government as Senior Policy Advisor in the Rural Utilities Service in the Department of Agriculture, where she worked on policies to fund broadband infrastructure projects in rural areas and Tribal lands. Before becoming an attorney, Edyael worked alongside rural, poor, and underserved communities advocating for policies to ensure affordable, reliable, high-speed broadband access and communications services. Edyael received her J.D. from the University of Colorado Law School, her M.A. from Ohio University, and her B.A. from Occidental College. She is proud to be from Elsa, Texas.

Hayley Steffen, Acting Legal Advisor for Wireline and Space. Hayley joins Commissioner Gomez’s office from the Wireline Competition Bureau, where she served as Legal Advisor to the Bureau Chief. Previously, Hayley served as an attorney advisor in the Telecommunications Access Policy Division, focusing on universal service and emergency initiatives in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She came to the FCC through the agency’s Attorney Honors Program. Prior to joining the FCC, Hayley served as Law Clerk to the Honorable Patrick L. Woodward, Chief Judge of the Appellate Court of Maryland. Hayley received her law degree, cum laude, from William & Mary Law School, and undergraduate degree from Franklin & Marshall College.

Anna Holland, Acting Executive Assistant. Anna began her career at the FCC as Staff Assistant in the Office of Chairman Wheeler before moving to her most recent role as Staff Assistant to two successive Bureau Chiefs of the Wireline Competition Bureau. Anna has also provided interim administrative support in the offices of Commissioner Clyburn and then-Commissioner Rosenworcel. Prior to her start in the federal government, Anna worked in the private sector supporting executive level staff for more than 15 years.

Benton Content:

Teaser:

FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez announced the appointment of several individuals who will serve in her office in acting capacities

Source:

FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez

Author:

Send date:

Wed, 09/27/2023

Daily Digest:

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Include summary in newsletter email:

Publish Date:

Tue, 09/26/2023

Coverage Type:

https://www.fcc.gov/document/commissioner-anna-gomez-being-sworn-commissioner-fc…

Policymakers

Commissioner Anna Gomez on Being Sworn in as Commissioner of the FCC

benton — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 12:16:15 +0000

I am humbled and honored that President Biden and the United States Senate have entrusted me with the privilege to serve the people of the United States as a Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission. As the first Latina to serve in this position in over two decades, it is especially meaningful to be sworn in as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. I look forward to working with Congress, Chairwoman Rosenworcel, my fellow Commissioners, and the talented and dedicated FCC staff to ensure that every person in every community, of every geography and income, has access to modern telecommunications services. I am eager to hear from all and to bring my experience in domestic and international telecommunications to serve the American people.

Benton Content:

Teaser:

Commissioner Gomez brings over 30 years of public and private sector experience to her role

Source:

FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez

Author:

Send date:

Wed, 09/27/2023

Daily Digest:

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Include summary in newsletter email:

Publish Date:

Tue, 09/26/2023

Coverage Type:

https://www.benton.org/blog/states-are-relying-federal-affordable-connectivity-p…

Policymakers

States are Relying on the Federal Affordable Connectivity Program to Close the Digital Divide

benton — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 11:25:47 +0000

With the common aim of ensuring that all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of our digital economy, each of the 50 states is currently drafting a digital equity plan through what one official called “the largest demonstration of participatory democracy that our country has ever seen." The states are tasked with developing long-term objectives for closing the digital divide by addressing the needs of eight "covered populations"—including low-income households. Several states have released their draft digital equity plans and one tool they all rely heavily on for connecting—and keeping connected—low-income households is the Federal Communications Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). However, estimates from the Federal Communications Commission project that funding for the ACP could run out within the next year. Also see:

Benton Content:

Benton Original Content

Teaser:

The impact of Affordable Connectivity Program funding on state digital equity plans

Source:

https://www.benton.org/blog/affordable-connectivity-program-and-rural-america

Author:

Kevin Taglang

Grace Tepper

Send date:

Tue, 09/12/2023

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 9/11/2023

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Include summary in newsletter email:

Publish Date:

Tue, 09/12/2023

Coverage Type:

Analysis

The Affordable Connectivity Program and Rural America

benton — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 17:38:37 +0000

Households in rural America are overcoming significant headwinds as they sign up for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) benefit at a higher rate than urban counterparts. Through April 2023, ACP enrollment data shows that: 15% of all rural households have enrolled in ACP and 14% of households in metro or urban areas have enrolled in the benefit. Even this modest difference is striking given the tensions that buffet rural residents as they consider enrolling in ACP. On the one hand, rural areas have characteristics that improve ACP enrollment according to the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society’s Affordable Connectivity Program Enrollment Performance Tool . Nearly half (49%) of rural households qualify for ACP compared with 40% of non-rural ones. This gap is largely because there are more lower income households in rural parts of the country. Some 36% of rural households have annual incomes at or below 200% of the Federal poverty level (FPL) in contrast to the 28% figure for households in non-rural areas. There is a positive correlation between areas with a large share of eligible households and ACP enrollment.

Benton Content:

Benton Original Content

Teaser:

Some 230,000 more rural households have signed up for ACP than predicted

Source:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/05/22/presiden…

Author:

John Horrigan

Send date:

Wed, 06/28/2023

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 6/27/2023

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Include summary in newsletter email:

Publish Date:

Tue, 06/27/2023

Coverage Type:

Analysis

President Biden Announces Federal Communications Commission Nominees

dclay@benton.org — Mon, 22 May 2023 16:20:40 +0000

President Joe Biden will nominate the following individuals to serve as key leaders in the Federal Communications Commission:

Anna M. Gomez, Nominee for Commissioner of the FCC: A telecommunications attorney with extensive experience in domestic and international communications law and policy. Gomez serves as a Senior Advisor for International Information and Communications Policy in the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy. Gomez served as the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Deputy Administrator from 2009 to 2013.
Geoffrey Adam Starks, Nominee for Commissioner of the FCC: Currently serves as a Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission since 2017. Throughout his career, Starks has focused on creating access to high-quality broadband for every American including rural America. While serving at the FCC he has worked to make networks more secure. Starks previously served as Assistant Bureau Chief of the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau.
Brendan Carr, Nominee for Commissioner of the FCC: Currently serves as a Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission, having first joined the agency as a staffer in 2012. In his time on the Commission, Carr has focused on expanding affordable, high-speed Internet service to all Americans. Carr also leads a groundbreaking telehealth initiative at the FCC, the Connected Care Pilot Program, which supports the delivery of high-quality care to low-income Americans and veterans.

Benton Content:

Teaser:

President Biden nominates Anna Gomez, Geoffrey Starks, and Brendan Carr for the FCC.

Source:

White House

Send date:

Tue, 05/23/2023

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 5/22/2023

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Include summary in newsletter email:

Publish Date:

Mon, 05/22/2023

Coverage Type:

https://www.benton.org/blog/benton-institute-acp-performance-tool

Policymakers

The Benton Institute ACP Performance Tool

benton — Tue, 02 May 2023 11:40:28 +0000

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is at an inflection point. Launched in early 2022, ACP provides 17 million households up to $30/month in subsidies to offset the cost of broadband. But the program faces two critical challenges. First, less than a third of eligible households currently participate in the program—mainly because the people who could benefit most from the subsidy are unaware that it exists. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), local governments, and digital equity groups are stepping up efforts to improve ACP awareness and participation. Targeted outreach is needed to inform these households about the ACP and could benefit from analysis of the patterns of ACP enrollment. Second, as successful as the program has been, ACP subsidies are at risk without Congressional action in the coming months. The initial ACP investment is dwindling which could mean the program will have to sunset in the next year. Analysis of enrollment patterns will show policymakers and advocates which places may suffer most from the program’s termination. The Benton Institute’s ACP Performance Tool is a resource for any community that wants to answer the question: “How are ACP sign-ups going?” To answer, search a 5-digit zip code on the tool’s website. The ACP Performance Tool returns results that show two important numbers for the zip code area: 1) how many households have signed up for ACP (from government data) and 2) the expected number of households enrolled.

Benton Content:

Benton Original Content

Teaser:

The Benton Institute’s ACP Performance Tool is a resource for any community that wants to answer the question: “How are ACP sign-ups going?”

Source:

Digital Equity/Digital Inclusion

Author:

John Horrigan

Brian Whitacre

Hernan Galperin

Send date:

Tue, 05/02/2023

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 5/1/2023

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Include summary in newsletter email:

Publish Date:

Tue, 05/02/2023

Coverage Type:

Research

Digital Divide

Federal Broadband Programs

Affordable Connectivity Program (was Emergency Broadband Benefit Program)

Gov performance

Internet/Broadband

Data & Mapping

Affordability/Cost/Price

Adoption

Universal Broadband

Legislation

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

https://www.benton.org/blog/half-acp-eligible-households-still-unaware-program

Marginalized Populations

Low-income

Research

Headlines Specific Topic:

Benton Foundation

Half of ACP-Eligible Households Still Unaware of the Program

benton — Fri, 17 Mar 2023 11:27:12 +0000

After a year of operation, half of all households eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) internet subsidy are unaware of the benefit. A January 2023 survey of low-income households finds that over 50% say they have never heard of the program or do not know anything about it. Although many eligible households are unaware of ACP, the survey points to ways in which policymakers and community leaders can encourage enrollment. First, outreach can make a difference. Some 37% of eligible households that knew little about the program say they would be likely to apply with more information and 31% said they would be likely to apply if they knew whether they qualified. The other part of the picture is digital skills. The survey finds that respondents with high levels of confidence in their digital skills are nearly twice as likely to have successfully signed up for ACP than those with less confidence in their digital skills. Some 26% of those with high levels of digital skills reported that they had successfully enrolled in ACP compared with only 14% of those with low levels of digital skills. The survey also found that, among households that have enrolled in ACP for a fixed home service, most still pay something for internet service. When asked what they pay for internet service after the ACP subsidy, the median figure cited households that had signed up for fixed service was $40 per month. The sum of the ACP subsidy ($30) and the median remaining fee ($40) is in line with the average monthly bill ($75) U.S. households pay for service.

Benton Content:

Benton Original Content

Teaser:

New Survey Shows that Outreach to Trusted Anchor Institutions and Digital Skills Training can Help

Source:

https://www.benton.org/blog/understanding-and-driving-enrollment-affordable-conn…

Author:

Brian Whitacre

John Horrigan

Alejandro Alvarado Rojas

Hernan Galperin

Send date:

Fri, 03/17/2023

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 3/16/2023

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Include summary in newsletter email:

Publish Date:

Fri, 03/17/2023

Coverage Type:

Op-Ed

Understanding and Driving Enrollment in the Affordable Connectivity Program

dclay@benton.org — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 16:59:03 +0000

Fitting the monthly cost of a broadband subscription into a low-income household budget is difficult, to say the least, because of the costs of competing necessities like lodging, food, and healthcare. These financial pressures—and unexpected expenses—keep too many people in the U.S. from subscribing to home broadband service—or cause them to drop service at times to make ends meet. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress recognized these obstacles for low-income people and created a program—first called the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program—to reduce the monthly costs of connectivity. With passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in November 2021, Congress turned the temporary Emergency Broadband Benefit Program into a longer-term subsidy. Launched in January 2022 with $14.2 billion in funding, the Federal Communications Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a critical component of the ongoing federal investment in broadband adoption. Eligible households receive $30/month (and up to $75/month on Tribal lands) to defray the cost of internet service, as well as up to $100 towards the purchase of a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers. On January 18, the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society hosted a panel discussion on ACP enrollment. Drew Garner, the State Broadband Policy Advisor at Common Sense Media, moderated the panel. He began the discussion by noting the three steps low-income households must complete before they begin enjoying ACP benefits: first, they must confirm that their household is eligible to participate in the program; then they must complete an application to be enrolled in ACP; and, finally, they must choose an internet service provider and pick a plan to subscribe to.

Benton Content:

Benton Original Content

Teaser:

Despite its success, ACP observers estimate that the program will run out of current funding by mid-2024, thus digital equity advocates must convince Congress to fund the program for low-income households.

Source: