NRTC

The sun officially set on NRTC Video Solutions on June 30. Video distribution to rural America has been a major part of NRTC’s activities dating back to its birth in 1986. Renée Harrison (pictured left) and Linda Kocher share some of their memories from 25 years with NRTC Video Solutions and the difference it made for rural viewers. https://lnkd.in/eHY3k6_H

In October 2023, the FCC adopted a Declaratory Ruling making Wi-Fi connections on school buses and other remote sites eligible for funding through the Universal Service Schools and Libraries program. Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced that the FCC will vote on a Further NPRM July 18 to set more specific rules for administering remote Wi-Fi funding requests. https://lnkd.in/eF7yFBtM

The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned the 40-year-old Chevron Doctrine, which directed courts to give deference to federal agencies’ interpretations of ambiguous statutes. The doctrine has been a case-determining factor in thousands of issues before the court, including telecommunications cases. Some believe that the FCC’s recent order reinstating Title II regulation for broadband providers could be at risk following the end of the Chevron Doctrine. https://lnkd.in/eX8q_6Ay

Comcast Business, which provides cable internet connections for enterprise customers, recently signed a strategic agreement to collaborate with Starlink, SpaceX’s low Earth orbit satellite broadband business. The union of the two technologies will extend internet connections to unserved or underserved rural enterprise offices and provide redundancy to all other Comcast enterprise customers. https://lnkd.in/dse_vr48

The FCC recently accepted comments in preparation for its report to Congress on the state of competition in the communications marketplace. Rural broadband associations raised several concerns, including the need for accurate broadband coverage data, the increase in broadband regulations and the need to identify spectrum for fixed wireless broadband services. https://lnkd.in/eN73XCR7

NRTC CEO Tim Bryan moderated a session with artificial intelligence pioneer Zack Kass (pictured right) during the recent CFC Forum in Indianapolis. Kass is a consultant who advises top companies developing AI strategies, including Coca-Cola and Morgan Stanley. Earlier he participated in AI start-ups and served as “head of go to market” for OpenAI, the company that developed ChatGPT. Also during CFC Forum, Dana Taylor, president of NRTC Broadband Solutions moderated a session on broadband financial management.

Josh Pepple, VP, Technology Planning for NRTC Smart Grid Solutions had a busy week as he gave three presentations at the recent 92nd Annual NC Electric Meter School and Grid Technology Conference in Myrtle Beach, SC. The Office of Professional Development at NC State University organized the five-day conference, which it describes as “a place where the metering discipline, skills, changes, products, and practices are learned and discussed.” The agenda followed seven focused tracks, ranging from metering basics to engineering ethics. Pepple’s presentations were titled “Monitoring and Managing Substation Equipment” and “Device Placement for Reliability” in the advanced substation concepts track, and “Planning for Maximizing the Value of Smart Grid Investments” in the emerging technologies track.

The FCC is asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Ohio to transfer the appeal of its April order to restore Title II telecommunications regulation to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. It cited the DC Circuit’s long history and familiarity with similar cases. The Title II order is set to go into effect on July 22. The Commission also denied a petition by several organizations to stay the order prior to the appeal. https://lnkd.in/eS52dNCr

As expected, opponents of the FCC’s April reinstatement of Title II telecommunications regulation for broadband internet providers have begun a court challenge. CTIA – The Wireless Association filed a challenge this week in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. At the same time, a large coalition representing ISPs petitioned the FCC to stay the effects of its Title II order. It is all part of a process that could take months or years to settle and eventually land in the U.S. Supreme Court. https://lnkd.in/e3GjSdPC

The FCC is putting increased scrutiny on third-party telecommunications certification bodies (TCBs) and RF test labs that may be controlled by foreign hostile governments. The Commission uses the labs to certify equipment before being sold in the U.S. market. In its recent monthly agenda meeting, it proposed ownership limits on TCBs and labs by companies on an earlier developed “Covered List.” The proposals have unanimous FCC support. https://lnkd.in/eannZN-T