Benton Institute for Broadband & Society - Press Release

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Wed, 09/27/2023

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Daily Digest 9/26/2023

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Tue, 09/26/2023

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Agenda

Upcoming policy issue

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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

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Send date:

Wed, 09/27/2023

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Daily Digest 9/26/2023

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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

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Daily Digest 9/26/2023

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Tue, 09/26/2023

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https://internetforall.gov/news-media/biden-harris-administration-announces-stat…

Policymakers

NTIA Announces State Allocations for $42.45 Billion BEAD Program

benton — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 15:47:05 +0000

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has allocated funding to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five territories to deploy affordable, reliable high-speed Internet service to everyone in America. States, Washington (DC), and territories will use funding from the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to administer grant programs within their borders. The BEAD funding will be used to deploy or upgrade broadband networks to ensure that everyone has access to reliable, affordable, high-speed Internet service. Once deployment goals are met, any remaining funding can be used to pursue eligible access-, adoption-, and equity-related uses. States, DC, and territories (“Eligible Entities”) will receive their formal notice of allocation on June 30, 2023. Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Eligible Entities have 180 days from the date of that formal notice to submit their Initial Proposals describing how they propose to run their grant programs. Eligible Entities can begin submitting their Initial Proposals starting July 1, 2023. Once NTIA approves an Initial Proposal, which will occur on a rolling basis, Eligible Entities will be permitted to request access to at least 20 percent of their allocated funds.

State	Allocation Amount
Alabama	$1,401,221,901.77
Alaska	$1,017,139,672.42
Arizona	$993,112,231.37
Arkansas	$1,024,303,993.86
California	$1,864,136,508.93
Colorado	$826,522,650.41
Connecticut	$144,180,792.71
Delaware	$107,748,384.66
District of Columbia	$100,694,786.93
Florida	$1,169,947,392.70
Georgia	$1,307,214,371.30
Hawaii	$149,484,493.57
Idaho	$583,256,249.88
Illinois	$1,040,420,751.50
Indiana	$868,109,929.79
Iowa	$415,331,313.00
Kansas	$451,725,998.15
Kentucky	$1,086,172,536.86
Louisiana	$1,355,554,552.94
Maine	$271,977,723.07
Maryland	$267,738,400.71
Massachusetts	$147,422,464.39
Michigan	$1,559,362,479.29
Minnesota	$651,839,368.20
Mississippi	$1,203,561,563.05
Missouri	$1,736,302,708.39
Montana	$628,973,798.59
Nebraska	$405,281,070.41
Nevada	$416,666,229.74
New Hampshire	$196,560,278.97
New Jersey	$263,689,548.65
New Mexico	$675,372,311.86
New York	$664,618,251.49
North Carolina	$1,532,999,481.15
North Dakota	$130,162,815.12
Ohio	$793,688,107.63
Oklahoma	$797,435,691.25
Oregon	$688,914,932.17
Pennsylvania	$1,161,778,272.41
Rhode Island	$108,718,820.75
South Carolina	$551,535,983.05
South Dakota	$207,227,523.92
Tennessee	$813,319,680.22
Texas	$3,312,616,455.45
Utah	$317,399,741.54
Vermont	$228,913,019.08
Virginia	$1,481,489,572.87
Washington	$1,227,742,066.30
West Virginia	$1,210,800,969.85
Wisconsin	$1,055,823,573.71
Wyoming	$347,877,921.27
American Samoa	$37,564,827.53
Guam	$156,831,733.59
Northern Mariana Islands	$80,796,709.02
Puerto Rico	$334,614,151.70
U.S. Virgin Islands	$27,103,240.86

Benton Content:

Teaser:

Biden-Harris Administration Announces State Allocations for $42.45 Billion High-Speed Internet Grant Program as Part of Investing in America Agenda

Source:

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Send date:

Tue, 06/27/2023

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 6/26/2023

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Publish Date:

Mon, 06/26/2023

Coverage Type:

Digital Divide

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Federal Broadband Programs

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

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

State

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

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Daily Digest 5/22/2023

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Mon, 05/22/2023

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https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1132

Policymakers

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Utah to Receive Nearly $1 Billion in American Rescue Plan Funds to Increase Access to Affordable, High-Speed Internet

benton — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 15:36:49 +0000

The Department of Treasury approved broadband projects in an additional six states under the American Rescue Plan’s Capital Projects Fund Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Utah. Together, these states will use their funding to connect more than 180,000 homes and businesses to affordable, high-speed internet. A key priority of the Capital Projects Fund program is to make funding available for reliable, affordable broadband infrastructure.

Florida is approved for $248 million for broadband infrastructure, which the state estimates will connect 48,400 households and businesses – representing approximately 10% of locations still lacking high-speed internet access. Florida’s award will fund Florida’s Broadband Infrastructure Program (BIP), a competitive grant program designed to expand last mile broadband access to homes and businesses in rural areas of the state. Funding from CPF will help Florida continue to prioritize fiber-optic networks and projects proposing affordable service. The plan submitted to Treasury and being approved today represents 68% of the state’s total allocation under the CPF program. Florida submitted plans for the remainder of their CPF funds and these applications are currently under review by Treasury.
Georgia is approved to receive $250 million for broadband infrastructure, which the state estimates will connect 70,000 households and businesses – representing 15% of locations still lacking high-speed internet access. Georgia’s award will fund the Georgia Capital Projects Fund grant program, a competitive grant program that is designed to fund broadband infrastructure projects that provide service to areas identified by the state to currently lack access to reliable broadband that can meet or exceed 25/3 Mbps, and that adopt practices that support both efficient broadband expansion and community engagement. The plan submitted to Treasury and being approved today represents 96% of the state’s total allocation under the CPF program. Georgia submitted plans for the remainder of their CPF funds and these applications are currently under review by Treasury.
Iowa is approved for $152.2 million for broadband infrastructure, which the state estimates will connect 18,972 households and businesses – representing approximately 16% of locations still lacking high-speed internet access. Iowa’s award will fund the Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Program, a competitive grant program designed to address inequities in access to broadband throughout the state of Iowa. Using a three-step process, the program combines mapping data, input from communities, and applications from service providers. Funding from CPF will help Iowa bring broadband service to areas identified having a critical need for broadband. The plan submitted to Treasury and being approved today represents 100% of the state’s total allocation under the CPF program.
Minnesota is approved for $44 million for broadband infrastructure. Minnesota’s award will fund two additional broadband infrastructure programs: Minnesota’s Line Extension Program, a competitive grant program designed to address the needs of individuals who are located near infrastructure for high-quality broadband service but where the cost of the last mile connection is a barrier; and the Low-Density Pilot Program, a competitive grant program that provides financial resources for new and existing providers to invest in building broadband infrastructure in low-density areas of the state that currently lack high-speed internet. Funding from CPF will help Minnesota continue its efforts to provide reliable internet access to predominately rural locations previously facing cost barriers. In total, Minnesota is using $127 million –70% of their CPF funding –for broadband infrastructure to reach an estimated ~32,000 locations, or ~12% of locations still lacking high-speed internet access in the state. Minnesota submitted plans for the remainder of their CPF funds and these applications are currently under review by Treasury.
Missouri is approved for $196.7 million for broadband infrastructure, which the state estimates will connect 37,979 households and businesses – representing approximately 8% of locations still lacking high-speed internet access. Missouri’s award will fund the Missouri Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program, a competitive grant program designed to fund broadband infrastructure projects in areas that currently lack access to high-speed, reliable broadband. Funding from CPF will help Missouri bring service to areas where broadband infrastructure projects would not be feasible without assistance. The plan submitted to Treasury and being approved today represents 100% of the state’s total allocation under the CPF program.
Utah is approved for $10 million for broadband infrastructure, which the state estimates will connect 3,080 households and businesses – representing approximately 5% of locations still lacking high-speed internet access. Utah’s award will fund the Broadband Infrastructure Gap Networks Grant Program (Gap Networks Grant Program), a competitive grant program designed to address gaps in broadband infrastructure where reliable broadband service is currently unavailable. Funding from CPF will help Utah continue its efforts to bridge the state’s remaining digital divide. The plan submitted to Treasury and being approved today represents 7% of the state’s total allocation under the CPF program. Utah submitted plans for the remainder of their CPF funds and these plans are currently under review by Treasury.

Benton Content:

Teaser:

Together, these states will use their funding to connect more than 180,000 homes and businesses

Source:

Department of the Treasury

Send date:

Fri, 12/02/2022

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Daily Digest 12/1/2022

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Thu, 12/01/2022

Coverage Type:

Federal Broadband Programs

Department of Treasury

Capital Projects Fund

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)

https://www.ntia.gov/press-release/2022/all-50-states-us-territories-and-distric…

State

All 50 States, US Territories, and the District of Columbia Join Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet for All Initiative

Grace Tepper — Wed, 13 Jul 2022 17:14:07 +0000

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that all states and territories have confirmed their participation in the Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet for All initiative announced in May 2022. The Administration engaged in a comprehensive outreach and technical assistance campaign to ensure no state or territory was left behind. The $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program enables states and territories to expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs. A separate State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program supports developing digital skills training and workforce development plans. In total, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds $65 billion to ensure all Americans have access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet. Digital Equity applications were due July 12th and all Letters of Intent to participate in the BEAD program were submitted ahead of the July 18th deadline. Hundreds of Tribal Nations have also submitted Letters of Intent to participate in the State Digital Equity Planning Grant program. Tribal entities can also apply for subgrants through their state or territory’s digital equity program.

Benton Content:

Teaser:

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration announces that all states and territories have confirmed their participation in the Internet for All initiative.

Source:

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Send date:

Thu, 07/14/2022

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Daily Digest 7/13/2022

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Wed, 07/13/2022

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https://www.fcc.gov/news-events/notes/2022/06/30/status-update-mapping-where-bro…

Digital Divide

Internet/Broadband

Affordability/Cost/Price

Infrastructure

Universal Broadband

Status Update: Mapping Where Broadband Is—and Is Not—Available in the US

benton — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 18:41:06 +0000

For as long as people have been talking about the digital divide, there have been complaints that we lack detailed maps to tell us exactly where broadband is—and is not—available. I wanted to give people a brief of the latest key developments:

We opened our new system to collect information from over 2,500 broadband providers on precisely where they provide broadband services. Why it matters: This marks the beginning of our window to collect location-by-location data from providers that we will use to build the map.
We’ve built the framework for a common dataset of locations in the United States where fixed broadband service can be installed. Why it matters: This new location dataset, called the “Fabric,” will serve as the foundation upon which all fixed broadband availability data will be reported and overlaid in our new broadband availability maps.
We’ve established consistent parameters that require broadband providers to submit data on availability using individually geocoded locations. Why it matters: Geocoded data will allow us to create a highly precise picture of fixed broadband deployment, unlike previous data collections, which focused on census blocks, giving us inaccurate, incomplete maps.
The FCC has launched a new online help center, with dedicated staff providing technical assistance, online video tutorials and webinars explaining the data submission process, and resources for consumers, internet service providers, states, localities, and Tribes seeking assistance with submissions. Why it matters: Our broadband maps are only as good as the data we collect, and this support will help make sure the Commission gets the data we need, the way we need it.
Our maps are built to improve. We are making the maps accessible to challenges by states, Tribal and local entities, and consumers. Why it matters: Earlier broadband maps relied exclusively on data collected from broadband providers, leaving key stakeholders without an easy mechanism to challenge and improve maps that were missing data or mischaracterized broadband coverage. The best map is one that improves over time with everyone’s experiences baked in.

Benton Content:

Teaser:

A progress report of the FCC's broadband mapping efforts

Source: