Leading broadband industry associations have come together to launch a series of monthly educational webinars for state broadband leaders, NTIA, communities and other key stakeholders focused on key topics related to implementation of the $42.45 billion NTIA BEAD broadband infrastructure funding program.

Meeting BEAD Affordability Requirements, the third webinar in this series, will take place Wednesday, November 9 at 1 p.m. ET., hosted by NCTA - The Internet & Television Association and ACA Connects – America’s Communications Association. In order to receive funding from the BEAD program, states are required to submit a “middle-class affordability plan” and providers must offer a low-cost broadband option to eligible subscribers. ACA Connects and NCTA experts will share how your state can meet the NTIA affordability requirements.

Register for the BEAD Affordability Requirements webinar here.

Upcoming 30-minute webinars include:

• December 14 - Permitting/Rights of Way
• January 11 - Cyber Security

Replays of the first two webinars in this series can be viewed at the following links:

• Broadband Supply Chain Mitigation Strategies for NTIA BEAD (September 14)
• Leveraging BEAD for Workforce Development (October 12)

The FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology last week conditionally approved 13 proposed automated frequency coordination (AFC) database systems to finalize development for operations in the 6 GHz band and prepare for the testing phase. These AFC systems manage spectrum access for 6 GHz band standard-power unlicensed devices.

The FCC’s recent rule changes expanded unlicensed use in the 5.925-6.425 GHz and 6.525- 6.875 GHz portions of the 6 GHz band to allow standard-power devices under the control of an AFC. New applications often require greater throughput, which this additional spectrum coupled with higher power will deliver. WiFi 6E builds upon previous WiFi updates and makes use of wider channels to provide gigabit-plus speeds, more simultaneous connections, and better security.

The Public Notice conditionally approved AFC systems proposed by Broadcom, Google, Comsearch, Sony Group, Kyrio, Key Bridge Wireless, Nokia Innovations, Federated Wireless, Wireless Broadband Alliance, Wi-Fi Alliance (WFA), Qualcomm, Plume Design and RED Technologies. The FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology evaluates proposals for AFC systems that will be used by WiFi devices in the 6 GHz band – including WiFi 6E, the next generation of faster, better WiFi. Unlicensed devices operating at standard power levels will use the AFC systems to adjust operating parameters to protect microwave links that operate in the band from harmful interference.

Marking one year of expanding high-speed Internet access in minority communities, NTIA’s Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives (OMBI) released its inaugural Annual Report. This report, required by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CAA), details OMBI’s accomplishments over the office’s first year, identifies barriers to high-speed Internet access in minority communities, and outlines the office’s role in achieving digital equity across the United States.

Established in August 2021 within NTIA’s Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth (OICG), OMBI is the Department of Commerce’s leader in promoting equitable broadband access and adoption at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and their surrounding anchor communities. Given their decades of investment in minority students and their communities, these institutions are effective catalysts for the expansion of high-speed Internet service.

The OMBI Annual Report summarizes OMBI’s current initiatives to support and build capacity in HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs; outlines barriers to access for students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding anchor community; and provides recommendations to improve efforts to expand digital access and adoption. Examples of OMBI’s key 2021-2022 accomplishments highlighted in the report include:

• Administering the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program (CMC) and granting over $20 million in the program’s first ten awards
• Collaborating with federal, state, tribal, and anchor institution stakeholders through interagency outreach, partnerships with national advocacy organizations, and support of NTIA’s Digital Equity Leaders Network re-launch
• Building the capacity of anchor institutions and their communities through ongoing technical assistance activities exceeding 2000 participants

NARUC released a draft resolution for consideration at its November 13, 2022 annual meeting that calls on Congress and the FCC to ensure significant federal and state broadband policy objectives and investments are capable of delivering the results promised.

It stated either Congress or the FCC should confirm or specify state authority to, among other things, enforce FCC or congressionally established minimum service quality standards for federally subsidized services or provided-over federally subsidized infrastructure, so federally subsidized carriers operating in multiple jurisdictions would operate with minimum uniform requirements.

The FCC’s Office of General Counsel issued a notice announcing an oral argument scheduled for December 5, 2022, for the case in the U.S Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on the FCC’s first quarter 2022 universal service contribution factor.