Vol. 17, No. 40
October 11, 2021
October 14 Webinar Offers Overview of Infrastructure Bill
This Thursday, October 14, join INCOMPAS and Andy Lipman, Partner and Telecom Practice Group Leader at Morgan Lewis & Bockius, for an in-depth overview of the mechanics and funding opportunities of the bipartisan Infrastructure Bill that is pending in Congress, and expected to pass later this year.

  • Offer historical context of broadband funding
  • Address currently available broadband funding programs
  • Provide added insight and practical advice on applying for the unprecedented $65 billion of broadband funding included in the infrastructure bill
  • Share insights into how best to position your company to qualify for these new federal broadband funds

The video of this discussion will be released on Thursday, October 14. To ensure you have exclusive access to this webinar, register here.
FCC Issues Tentative Agenda for October Open Meeting
The FCC announced a tentative agenda for its October 26 Open Meeting, where it will consider:
  • Updating Digital Television Table of Allotments – An Order that will update the digital television Table of Allotments, and delete or revise rules rendered obsolete by the broadcast incentive auction and the digital television transition.
  • Selecting Third Round of Applicants for Connected Care Pilot Program – A Public Notice announcing the third round of selections for the Commission’s Connected Care Pilot Program to provide Universal Service Fund support for health care providers making connected care services available directly to patients.
  • Disaster Communications Field Hearing – The FCC will conduct a virtual field hearing on communications recovery and resiliency during disasters. It will hear testimony about communications issues during and following Hurricane Ida and other recent disasters.
NTIA Proposes Service Areas for Broadband Program
NTIA published the proposed service areas of all applications undergoing review for funding through the Broadband Infrastructure Program. Broadband service providers will have 15 days to submit information about the broadband services they offer in any of the proposed service areas. NTIA said this announcement will assist it in targeting federal funds appropriately to areas lacking qualifying broadband service. NTIA will consider the information submitted by service providers as a factor in its evaluation of the program’s applications.
FCC Holds National Digital Inclusion Forum
Last week, the FCC held the first Connecting the Disconnected Forum as part of the agencies efforts to bring attention to National Digital Inclusion Week. The forum convened digital inclusion officers and representatives from across the country to learn from each other, share ideas and collaborate on how to build a more connected future. The forum consisted of two panels focused on the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program and successful outreach strategies, and the importance of communities supporting connectivity. This virtual event is available on YouTube.