Vol. 18, No. 20
May 16, 2022
UPCOMING EVENTS
October 24-26, 2022
MEMBER NEWS
New NTIA Infrastructure Rules
Can Speed Deployment of Faster, More Affordable Broadband
Last Friday, the NTIA and the U.S. Department of Commerce announced their “Internet for All” program and released rules that will help guide best practices for the $65 billion broadband investment made in the bipartisan Infrastructure Act.

The NTIA’s Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) cover:

“Competition works and monopolies fail, which is why we are encouraged to see NTIA put forward broadband rules that are future focused on speeds, encourage wholesale and streamline deployment at the local level," said INCOMPAS CEO Chip Pickering, who also serves as co-chair of the BroadLAND “Internet for All” campaign.

“Fiber is the fuel that powers an all-of-the above broadband strategy as wired, wireless, 5G and satellite broadband infrastructure all depend on it. Communities that install anything less than future-proof networks will be wasting tax dollars and leaving their schools and small businesses behind. We are glad to see NTIA mirror other agencies in their insistence that government funds not be wasted on obsolete networks of the past that simply do not have the bandwidth to power jobs and industries of tomorrow.”

“Competition is a permanent affordability solution, and it’s also the law. We are encouraged to see NTIA recommending incentives for wholesale competition that ensure government funds do not build new monopolies. Wholesale access will open a world of choices and opportunities for local small businesses looking to save money and grow.”

“The American people have made it clear they want better, faster, more affordable broadband -- and they want it now. NTIA’s rules help streamline the deployment of new networks by encouraging pole access, dig once and reasonable cost provisions. This is a win-win for new builders and local communities, which need faster networks built fast.”

“I wish to commend Secretary Gina Raimondo for her commitment to competition and Administrator Alan Davidson and the NTIA staff for their tremendous work, and issuing the NOFOs prior to the Congressional deadline. Broadband infrastructure funding presents a historic opportunity to right the wrongs of the past and build a better, faster, more affordable future for all Americans. While important details remain, we look forward to continuing to work with NTIA, all federal agencies and state and local governments on bipartisan solutions to help ensure every American family gets connected to the internet and the benefits of competition.”
White House Praises INCOMPAS Members IdeaTek and Starry in Announcing Plan to Lower Internet Prices and Increase Speeds
On May 9, President Joseph Biden announced a new agreement with 20 ISPs aimed at helping lower income Americans access faster internet speeds at a more affordable price point through the Affordable Connectivity Program. INCOMPAS members IdeaTek and Starry joined the President for the announcement and have committed to participate in helping achieve this goal.
“Small competitive internet service providers have been at the forefront of helping Americans get better, faster internet service at prices they can afford. We are thrilled the White House has partnered with two INCOMPAS members – IdeaTek, which is transforming the lives of families and small businesses in rural Kansas with their fiber service, and Starry, which has brought low-cost, high-speed connectivity solutions to customers living in apartment and public housing complexes in large metro areas across the nation," said Mignon Clyburn, former FCC Commissioner and co-chair of the INCOMPAS BroadLAND campaign.

“Competition in the marketplace is the leading driver for more affordability, innovation, speed and better customer service. Additional competition is key to tackling our nation’s internet challenges. We want to praise bipartisan efforts in Congress and encourage pro-competition action by agencies including the FCC, NTIA and Treasury Department as we move our nation toward a brighter broadband future.”
Take Your Business to New Heights at The 2022 INCOMPAS Show
The 2022 INCOMPAS Show - taking place October 24-26 in Denver - gives your company avenues to expand networking channels and sales pipelines.

Check out the prospectus and learn how you can increase your company's visibility among top industry decision makers, grow your business and explore new markets by exhibiting, sponsoring or hosting meeting rooms.
Download Available: Cybersecurity & Risk Mitigation Webinar
UNITEL and Responsive Technology Partners joined INCOMPAS last week for a webinar to discuss the state of the cybersecurity coverage for the communications industry.

During Cybersecurity Coverage and Risk Mitigation – What You Need to Know, Mike Reed, UNITEL's senior risk advisor shared best practices for mitigating your company's and your customer's risks. Tom Glover, chief revenue officer at Responsive Technology Partners outlined current cyber risks/threats facing our businesses today and outlined processes to reduce security risks.
FCC, NTIA, Departments of Commerce and Treasury Announce Agreement to Collaborate on Federal Broadband Funding
The FCC, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced an interagency agreement to share information about and collaborate regarding the collection and reporting of certain data and metrics relating to broadband deployment. The respective Cabinet and Agency leaders announced that their agencies will consult with one another and share information on data collected from programs administered by the FCC, the USDA’s Rural Utilities Service, programs administered or coordinated by NTIA, and Treasury’s Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund and State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund.

“No matter who you are or where you live in this country, you need access to high-speed internet to have a fair shot at 21st century success. The FCC, NTIA, USDA and Treasury are working together like never before to meet this shared goal,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “Our new interagency agreement will allow us to collaborate more efficiently and deepen our current data sharing relationships. I thank Secretary Vilsack, Assistant Secretary Davidson and Secretary Yellen for their continued partnership, so we can get everyone, everywhere connected to the high-speed internet they need.”

As part of the signed agreement, each federal agency partner will share information about projects that have received or will receive funding from the previously mentioned federal funding sources. More information on what the interagency Memorandum of Understanding entails can be found on NTIA's website. The agreement is effective at the date of its signing, May 11, 2022.
NTIA to Host Internet for All Webinar Series
The NTIA plans to host upcoming webinars on the different infrastructure grant programs and explain more details of each Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). During these webinars, they will offer guidance, answer questions and share additional resources.

Upcoming webinars and registration links:
NANC Meetings Scheduled for June 14 and August 15
The next meetings of the North American Numbering Council (NANC) will be held:
  • June 14 - NANC will consider and vote on recommendations on reviewing and updating the Statement of Work and Billing and Collection Agent Requirements and steps to encourage adoption of caller ID authentication technology and other techniques to combat robocalls by policymakers and providers in countries outside of the United States.
  • August 15 - NANC will consider and vote on recommendations on the feasibility of individual telephone number pooling trials and will hear routine status reports.
Sen. Bennet Proposes Digital Commission
Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Co.) introduced the Digital Platform Commission Act, the first-ever legislation in Congress to create an expert federal body empowered to provide comprehensive, sector-specific regulation of digital platforms to protect consumers, promote competition and defend the public interest. The new Federal Digital Platform Commission would have the mandate, jurisdiction, and broad set of tools to develop and enforce thoughtful guardrails,

The proposed Federal Digital Platform Commission would have five commissioners appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. It would be staffed by experts with a background in areas such as computer science, software development and technology policy. The Commission would have a broad mandate to promote the public interest, with specific directives to protect consumers, promote competition, and assure the fairness and safety of algorithms on digital platforms, among other areas. To fulfill its mandate, the Commission would have the authority to promulgate rules, impose civil penalties, hold hearings, conduct investigations and support research. It could also designate “systemically important digital platforms” subject to additional oversight, regulation and merger review.

The first-of-its-kind commission would have the enforcement authority to crack down on harm to teen mental health, disinformation and anticompetitive practices. The Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission oversee digital platforms today. However, Sen. Bennett said, they lack expert staff, resources and “tech-oriented culture” key for robust oversight.
Senate Committee Advances Two Broadband Deployment Bills
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation advanced two pieces of bipartisan legislation:
  • The Network Equipment Transparency (NET) Act (S. 3692), which would increase broadband supply chain transparency in order to ensure an on-time rollout of the broadband programs managed by the FCC. Sponsored by Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), the bill aims to identify supply chain issues early to avoid disrupting fast and reliable broadband programs administered by the FCC.
  • The Funding Affordable Internet with Reliable (FAIR) Contributions Act (S. 2427), sponsored by panel ranking member Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss), would direct the FCC to conduct a study into the feasibility of collecting Universal Service Fund (USF) contributions from internet edge providers and broadband internet service providers. Wicker’s bill would require the FCC to consider the size of firms that should contribute and how to ensure the fund disbursements are predictable over time, among other questions.
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