NRTC’s Post

Access to broadband is critical to participation in our society. In this video, Matt DelNero explains how we help our clients leverage the opportunities created by lawmakers trying to close the digital divide. Check out our website to find out more: https://okt.to/9HPJyt

#Outrageous but the question is in this moment of #Advocacy month, what can we as #AdultEducation providers and supporters do about it? Open to suggestions. #ElevateDigitalEquity #DigitalLiteracy #MoveAheadWithAdultEd #AdultEducationMatters

“As things stand, BEAD is engineered to shut out the providers most willing and able to build for America’s least connected communities. So we’re calling for Secretary Raimondo and Assistant Secretary Alan Davidson to make a fix that will make the program more competitive and live up to its promise to connect the millions of American families still living without the broadband they need.” Read about alternatives proposed in a letter sent by 300 leading broadband experts and organizations: https://lnkd.in/ekWFbq93 #InternetForAll #Broadband #DigitalEquity https://lnkd.in/eUae9-U2

The FCC today announced it will launch an inquiry to kick off the agency’s evaluation of the state of broadband across the country, as required by section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. As part of this inquiry, the Commission will focus on the universal service goals of section 706—universal deployment, affordability, adoption, availability, and equitable access to broadband throughout the United States. “In order to get big things done, it is essential to set big goals," said Chairwoman Rosenworcel. "That is why we are kicking off this inquiry to update our national broadband standard and also set a long-term goal for gigabit speeds.” https://lnkd.in/euVT2gnX #broadbandspeeds #broadbandaccess

If you are wondering what act is that? 27 years passed since 1996 but are we there yet? Does they really "promote competition and reduce regulation" for anything 5G? Maybe we need a new Antonin(Nino) Scalia. "Short title: Communications Decency Act of 1996 Long title: An Act to promote competition and reduce regulation in order to secure lower prices and higher quality services for American telecommunications consumers and encourage the rapid development of new telecommunications technologies."

The FCCs 2018 Declaratory Ruling was meant to accelerate deployment of small wireless facilities, but it also restricts how local governments can regulate their installation. Here are key takeaways for agencies to avoid coverage gaps. From MRSC Insight: https://lnkd.in/g3DmSQST

FCC push to classify broadband internet service as “essential” utility equivalent to water, power and phone service. “The Chairwoman is proposing the FCC take the first procedural steps toward reaffirming rules that would treat broadband internet service as an essential service for American life. …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 proposal seeks to largely return to the successful rules the Commission adopted in 2015.” https://lnkd.in/e9Pyi99p

On behalf of more than five million Hispanic-owned businesses, we submitted comments before the Federal Communications Commission to abandon reclassifying broadband under Title II. The proposed change would restrict broadband providers from operating in their current status, which has allowed for access to cheaper, faster broadband. Thanks to private investments and unprecedented levels of public funding, access to high-speed internet is expanding dramatically. Reclassifying broadband internet access under Title II would be a step back. We submitted two letters explaining our position: 1) We co-signed a letter with the four largest minority chambers of commerce. 2) We authored a letter that was co-signed with 10 of our local Hispanic chambers of commerce. Read more about our position on "Safeguarding and Securing the Open Internet" here: https://bit.ly/3NE6vai #smallbusinesses #broadbandaccess #hispanicentrepreneur #fcc

Back in 2016 the FCC agreed that the outdated symbol rate limit for HF communications was outmoded, served no purpose, and hampered experimentation. Fast forward to 2023 and we see Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (AZ-08) introducing "The American Radio Communications Improvement Act" (H.R. 3241) to require that the FCC eliminate the Obsolete HF digital symbol rate limit. The SAME THING that the FCC agreed to back in 2016. Your tax dollars in action... https://lnkd.in/g6xGymKu

Last week, the GAO published its review of a FCC rule that established a new Declaratory Ruling, Report and Order, Order, and Order on Reconsideration. The Order establishes broad, tailored forbearance of FCC’s application of title II to broadband providers and reinstates rules that prohibit blocking, throttling, or engaging in paid or affiliated prioritization arrangements, adopts certain enhancements to the transparency rule, and reinstates a general conduct standard that prohibits unreasonable interference or unreasonable disadvantage to consumers or edge providers. #maynardnexsen #govcon #regulatoryaffairs #internetregulation