Vol. 18, No. 30
July 18, 2022
UPCOMING EVENTS
October 24-26, 2022
MEMBER NEWS
FCC Must Raise Internet Speeds
to Meet Market Demand and
Global Competition
The FCC is finally looking to raise the minimum internet speed benchmarks. It was reported last week that a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) has been circulated at the FCC proposing to raise the broadband speed benchmark to 100/20 Mbps now, with a gigabit goal for the future.

INCOMPAS, which has been leading the effort to raise U.S. internet speeds benchmarks, is urging the FCC to reject slower intermediate steps and jump into the future by adopting the gigabit standard now as it is the current marketplace standard. Read our report here.

“For years INCOMPAS has been calling on the FCC to increase internet speeds in the United States from the sluggishly slow 25/3 Mbps benchmark in favor of gigabit goals. The U.S. invented the internet, but we have fallen behind China, Europe and other nations, which have set much higher standards than are currently being proposed," said INCOMPAS CEO Chip Pickering.

“Gigabit speed standards promote new job creating deployment and are critical to both our economic and national security. Setting faster speed goals protects families’ and small businesses from being stuck with internet that is too slow for school, healthcare and the jobs of the future. Moreover, gigabit speeds are the marketplace standard today. Even large cable companies, which lobby for the slower speeds of the past, are blanketing the airwaves with advertisements for their gigabit services. We hope the FCC notices this contradiction and is mindful of the slow speed trap that threatens to exploit the digital divide," Pickering added.

“We are pleased to see Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel taking this important first step toward increasing internet speed benchmarks, and we encourage the entire FCC to think bigger and bolder by setting gigabit goals today that unleash a faster, better future for all American families and businesses."
Meet the Right People, At the Right Place: The 2022 INCOMPAS Show
Want to meet the right people to propel your business?

If so, the right place is The 2022 INCOMPAS Show.

Join us October 24-26 at the Sheraton Denver Downtown, where you can expand your network and strengthen existing relationships.
· Meet with existing and potential customers ·
· Explore the exhibit hall ·
· Network at nightly happy hours and receptions ·
· Drop into the Deal Center ·
· Learn what buyers need at our Buyers Forum ·
· Hear from industry-leading keynote ·
· Join interactive roundtable discussions ·
Less Than 1 Month to Register and Enter to Win

Register by Friday, August 12 and be entered for a chance to win two tickets - a $1,200 value - just rows from the field to see the Denver Broncos take on the N.Y. Jets, Sunday, October 23, at Empower Field at Mile High, while you're in Denver for the show.
INCOMPAS Urges FCC to Hit Pause on the Alternative Connect America Model NPRM
Today, INCOMPAS filed comments with the FCC in response to its NPRM that seeks public input on a proposal by the A-CAM Broadband Coalition to deploy 100/20 Mbps broadband service in the rural areas served by carriers currently receiving Alternative Connect America Model (A-CAM) support.

INCOMPAS stated that now, more than ever, Americans want access to faster, more robust and resilient broadband networks of the future, and Congress heard the people and allocated tens of billions of dollars of taxpayer money to build high-speed broadband network to every American that currently is not served. The FCC should pause this proceeding until it can fully assess the results of those deployment programs before committing to any new High-Cost funding from the USF.
All 50 States, U.S. Territories and D.C. Join Internet for All Initiative
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s 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. The Administration engaged in a comprehensive outreach and technical assistance campaign to ensure no state or territory was left behind.
“The Department of Commerce is committed to ensuring all Americans have access to the internet, which is vital for our economic future,” said U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. “Beyond access, we also must enable meaningful internet use and provide people with tools to participate in education and training, access health care, and thrive in the digital economy. The Internet for All initiative will help states and territories accomplish both goals. I applaud America’s state and territory leaders who took these important first steps toward bringing equitable access to high-speed internet to the people they serve.”
FCC Announces Tentative Agenda for August 5 Open Meeting
The FCC announced items the FCC will consider at its August 5, 2022 open meeting:

  • Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program - A Second Report and Order that would establish the Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program to provide eligible governmental and non-governmental entities funding to conduct outreach to increase awareness of and encourage participation in the Affordable Connectivity Program among eligible low-income households.

  • ‘Your Home, Your Internet’ Pilot Program – A Third Report and Order that would establish the one-year Your Home, Your Internet Pilot Program with the goal of increasing awareness of the Affordable Connectivity Program among recipients of federal housing assistance and facilitating enrollment in the ACP by providing targeted assistance with the ACP application.

  • Space Innovation; Facilitating Capabilities for In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing – An NOI that would examine opportunities and challenges of in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM) that can support sustained economic activity in space. This NOI would develop an up-to-date record on current ISAM activities and seek input on steps the FCC might take to facilitate ISAM missions, including through updates to FCC rules and processes.
  • Freeing Up 17 GHz Spectrum to Support Satellite Broadband Service – A Report and Order and NPRM that would adopt a co-primary allocation for geostationary satellite orbit (GSO) fixed-satellite service (FSS) operations in the space-to-Earth (downlink) direction in the 17.3-17.8 GHz band, while protecting incumbent services, and inquire into whether the FCC should expand this FSS allocation in the 17.3-17.8 GHz band to include non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) FSS operations also in the downlink direction.
Energy & Commerce Holds Markup on Four Communications Bills
The House Energy and Commerce Committee met last Wednesday to markup a group of bills aimed at strengthening U.S. communications networks, including:




  • Safe Connections Act of 2022, (7132), which was introduced by Reps. Annie Kuster (D-NH) and Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA), would require phone service providers to separate the lines of domestic violence survivors from their abusers no later than 2 business days after a request has been made. Companion legislation passed the Senate in March.
INCOMPAS | www.incompas.org