Vol. 17, No. 49
December 20, 2021
INCOMPAS Opposes Mass. Senate Bill to
Apply Franchise Fees on Online Streamers
INCOMPAS last week submitted testimony to the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy opposing SB 2200, which seeks to apply franchise fees to online streamers.

"The proposed legislation is contrary to federal law, as well as public policy to promote fair competition," said Angie Kronenburg, INCOMPAS chief advocate and general counsel. "Further, it may harm the demand for alternative video choices for Massachusetts consumers and impede the deployment of high-speed broadband throughout the Commonwealth as it proposes to impose upon consumers a double taxation—once for their network operator, and again for their streaming service to use the network. Asking consumers to pay twice for the same thing is inequitable and unjust."
FCC Announces Over $1 Billion in RDOF Funding to 32 States
The FCC announced last week that it is ready to authorize $1,041,074,000 over 10 years in its fifth round of funding for new broadband deployments through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF). In the largest funding wave to date, 69 broadband providers will bring broadband service to 518,088 locations in 32 states. The Commission also announced a number of defaulted bids, making the census blocks in those defaulted bids potentially eligible for other funding programs.

For a list of RDOF providers and funding amounts by state, click here.
FCC Wireline Bureau Reevaluates STIR/SHAKEN Extensions
The Wireline Competition Bureau issued a public notice re-evaluating STIR/SHAKEN extensions pursuant to the TRACED Act. The bureau declined:
  • To further lengthen the extension of the implementation deadline for STIR/SHAKEN as it applies to voice providers with 100,000 or fewer voice subscriber lines
  • The Satellite Industry Association’s request that small satellite voice service providers receive an indefinite extension in light of the challenging circumstances facing small satellite VSPs, combined with their unique economic, operational and technical characteristics.

Additionally, the bureau retained the current extension for voice service providers that cannot obtain the SPC token required to participate in STIR/SHAKEN and the extension for services scheduled for Section 214 discontinuance.
NTIA to Host Broadband Grant Programs Listening Sessions
NTIA will host broadband grant program public virtual listening sessions in connection with the five new broadband grant programs authorized and funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program; the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program; and the Digital Equity Act Programs, which include the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program, State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, and Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program. These public virtual listening sessions are designed to collect stakeholder input to help inform program development and implementation.

Virtual public listening sessions will take place:
  • Wednesday, January 12, 2022, from 2:30–4:00 p.m. EST
  • Wednesday, January 26, 2022, from 2:30–4:00 p.m. EST
  • Wednesday, February 9, 2022, from 2:30–4:00 p.m. EST
  • Wednesday, February 23, 2022, from 2:30–4:00 p.m. EST

These listening sessions will be hosted via NTIA’s virtual platform. Registration information will be available on the NTIA's BroadbandUSA website.
USDA to Invest $5.2 Billion to Improve Rural Infrastructure
The USDA announced that it is investing $5.2 billion to build and improve critical rural infrastructure in 46 states and Puerto Rico, which will help expand access to high-speed internet, clean water and reliable electricity in people’s homes and businesses across rural America. USDA will make 359 investments in seven programs designed to help people in rural areas access high-speed internet, clean water and dependable electric power. These programs include Community Connect Grants, Electric Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program, and Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans and Loan Guarantees.
NANC Meeting Scheduled for February 9
The FCC issued a public notice announcing that the next meeting of the North American Numbering Council (NANC) will be held February 9, 2022, via video conference and is available to the public.

At this meeting, NANC will consider and vote on recommendations from the Call Authentication Trust Anchor working group on a set of best practices relating to how terminating voice service providers can best protect their subscribers using caller ID authentication information. In addition, NANC will hear status reports from the Numbering Administration Oversight working group, the North American Portability Management, and the Secure Telephone Identity Governance Authority.

The FCC also announced additional members appointed by FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel to NANC and its working groups.
Bipartisan Telehealth Bill Introduced in House
Reps. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) and David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) introduced a bill that would ensure permanent access to telehealth for patients across the country by ending outdated geographic and site restrictions where patients can receive approved telehealth services. The bill also temporarily extends emergency authorities established during the COVID-19 pandemic that authorize a wide range of providers and services via telehealth. Additionally, to ensure Medicare program integrity, the bill would implement MedPAC recommendations to prevent unnecessary spending and telehealth-related fraud.