INCOMPAS Joins Letter Urging USF Contributions Reform
On November 29, INCOMPAS, the Ad Hoc Telecom Users Committee, the Cloud Communications Alliance, NTCA - The Rural Broadband Association, Public Knowledge and the SHLB Coalition led 254 organizations in calling on broadband policymakers to repair the Universal Service Fund (USF) contribution mechanism.
The USF is one of our nation’s most important tools for addressing the digital divide, but its outdated funding mechanism puts the program in danger of collapse and inequitably burdens the consumers who most often end up contributing.
In the letter, the signatories – which include public interest groups, consumer organizations, anchor institutions, trade associations, and broadband service providers – ask policymakers to immediately reform and stabilize the funding mechanism, and to make contribution obligations more equitable, by adding broadband internet access services (BIAS) to the list of services that pay into the USF.
This proposal is based on USF expert Carol Mattey’s recent “USForward” report, which finds that including BIAS revenues would shrink the USF fee from nearly 30 percent to less than four percent for the foreseeable future.
House Passes Bipartisan Cybersecurity Bills
Last week, the House of Representatives passed three bipartisan cybersecurity bills:
H.R. 2685, the “Understanding Cybersecurity of Mobile Networks Act” - Introduced by Reps. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) and Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), the bill would require the NTIA to examine and report on the cybersecurity of mobile service networks and the vulnerability of these networks and mobile devices to cyberattacks and surveillance conducted by adversaries. The bill passed on the House Floor by a vote of 404-19.
H.R. 4045, the “Future Uses of Technology Upholding Reliable and Enhanced Networks Act” or the “FUTURE Networks Act” - Introduced by Reps. Doyle (D-Pa.), Bill Johnson (R-Ohio), and Lucy McBath (D-Ga.), the bill would direct the FCC to establish a task force known as the “6G Task Force,” which would be tasked with submitting a report to Congress on 6G wireless technology, including the possible uses, advantages and limitations of 6G, such as any supply chain, cybersecurity or other challenges that will need to be addressed in future generations of wireless technologies. The bill passed on the House Floor by a vote of 394-27.
H.R. 4055, the “American Cybersecurity Literacy Act” - Introduced by Reps. Kinzinger (R-Ill.), Eshoo (D-Calif.), Marc Veasey (D-Tex.), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) and Gus Bilirakis (R-Fl.), the bill would require NTIA to develop and conduct a cybersecurity literacy campaign to increase the knowledge and awareness of Americans on the ways to reduce cybersecurity risks. The bill passed on the House Floor by a vote of 408-17.
USDA Now Accepting Applications for Rural Loans and Grants
The USDA is now accepting applications for up to $1.15 billion in loans and grants to help people in rural areas get access to high-speed internet. The funding is made available through the ReConnect Program. Eligible applicants are state, local or territory governments; corporations; Native American tribes; limited liability companies; and cooperative organizations.
The USDA said this funding, which does not include the $2 billion from the recently enacted infrastructure law, is available for projects that serve rural areas where at least 90% of the households lack broadband service at speeds of 100/20 Mbps. USDA will give funding priority to projects that will serve people in low-density rural areas and areas lacking internet access services at speeds of at least 25/3 Mbps.
Wicker, Thune Introduce NTIA Reauthorization Bill
U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation; and John Thune (R-S.D.), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Communications, Media and Broadband; introduced the NTIA Reauthorization and Reform Act.
This bill would reform NTIA’s role by improving interagency coordination and addressing current telecommunications challenges, such as the workforce shortage, Internet governance, cybersecurity and international telecommunications.
Klobuchar, Thune Introduce Bill to Protect, Expand Rural Broadband
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), co-chair of the bipartisan Senate Broadband Caucus, and John Thune (R-S.D.) introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen the funding mechanisms for the USF, which promotes universal access to broadband and other telecommunications services.
The Reforming Broadband Connectivity Act directs the FCC to initiate a rule-making proceeding to reform the contributions system, taking into account the fairness and the relative burden any changes in fees will have on consumers and businesses, as well as the impact the proposed changes to the contribution system will have on seniors.
