INCOMPAS News -- March 15, 2021

Vol. 17, No. 10

March 15, 2021

INCOMPAS Welcomes

“Internet 4 All” Legislation

Last week, House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act, designed to connect every American to the internet. This universal access legislation was previewed at the INCOMPAS Policy Summit, and will include broadband deployment funding and 1 Gigabit speed goals supported by new builders and competitive internet service providers.

“Internet for All is more than a goal, it’s a moral imperative. Together our nation can, and must, extend the power of faster more affordable internet access to every American family. The Internet for All legislation will create jobs today and make a bold investment in a better future filled with more competition, innovation and opportunity for all," said INCOMPAS CEO Chip Pickering.

“INCOMPAS wishes to thank Whip Clyburn and Sen. Klobuchar for their leadership, and supports additional federal investment in our broadband future. INCOMPAS members bring more broadband competition and build new networks that deliver gigabit speed service and beyond at lower prices. Together we will fight to ensure all Americans can have access to the internet of the future and the opportunities for innovation it creates.”

Biden Signs American Rescue Plan Act, Including $10 Billion for Broadband Infrastructure

President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 on March 11.

The law includes over $7 billion for an Emergency Connectivity Fund to support remote learning. This fund would support the provision of connected devices, internet service and hotspots by schools and libraries to students, teachers and library patrons for home and other remote use. It gives the FCC 60 days to promulgate rules under its statutory E-rate authority to distribute the support.

The Act also includes $10 billion for state broadband infrastructure grants.

USAC to Host EBB Webinars

on NLAD and RAD

The FCC’s Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program provides discounted broadband and connected devices for low-income consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The EBB Program will build on the framework and systems created for the FCC’s Lifeline Program - the universal service mechanism designed to help provide affordable communications service to low-income consumers. The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) administers the Lifeline program and will administer the EBB Program.

Two Lifeline systems that USAC will leverage for the EBB Program are:

National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD), a system that service providers will use to manage their EBB Program subscribers, including enrolling, transferring and updating information for consumers in the program.
Representative Accountability Database (RAD), a system that allows USAC to track a representative’s transactions in NLAD and the National Verifier.

Beginning next week, USAC will host webinars to walk service providers through NLAD and RAD. These webinars are targeted to service providers who have not used NLAD or RAD. All service providers are welcome, though current Lifeline providers may find the content redundant.

March 16, 4:00 ET: Get Started with NLAD
March 18, 3:00 ET: Get Started with RAD

House Bill Proposes $100 Billion for Broadband

Democratic members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee introduced the Leading Infrastructure For Tomorrow’s America Act on March 11.

The bill would invest more than $312 billion in clean energy, energy efficiency, drinking water, broadband and healthcare infrastructure. The bill provides:

$80 billion for the deployment of secure and resilient high-speed broadband
$5 billion in federal funding for low-interest financing of broadband deployment with a new program that would allow eligible entities to apply for secured loans, lines of credit or loan guarantees to finance broadband infrastructure buildout projects
$9.3 billion for broadband affordability and adoption

NTIA to Host March 17 Webinar on Grant Programs

Congress passed the year-end omnibus legislation in December that included several broadband and connectivity expansion bills.

On March 17, 2021, at 2 p.m. ET, NTIA will host a webinar that provides an overview of the new NTIA grant programs, including the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Grants, Broadband Infrastructure Deployment Grants and the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program. To participate, register here.

Kelley Drye to Present 12th Annual Update on USF Developments

INCOMPAS member Kelley Drye will host its 12th annual webinar discussing the state of the federal Universal Service Fund (USF) on Monday, March 22 at Noon ET.

This webinar provides an in-depth look at all four USF programs and the USF contribution mechanism, highlighting major developments in the last year and trends for the upcoming year. In addition, this year we will discuss how the ongoing pandemic has influenced the importance of the USF and related policy decisions. This webinar supplements the knowledge Kelley Drye clients gain from the monthly USF Tracker to provide context and analysis of the issues you need to know.

The update will address the following, among other topics:

The COVID-19 Telehealth Program
The Connected Care Pilot and Rural Healthcare Program
Lifeline and the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program
E-Rate Outside the Classroom
The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) and Broadband Mapping
Rip and Replace
Contributions Reform

This unique educational event should be attended by anyone involved in the federal USF programs. Regardless of how you participate in the federal USF programs today, this webinar will provide new insights and recommendations for making the most of this $9 billion program.