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Vol. 19, No. 41

October 16, 2023

UPCOMING EVENTS


October 24 | 2 p.m. ET

Zayo Webinar

Internet Includes Everyone -

No Matter the Challenges


March 5, 2024

The 2024 INCOMPAS

Policy Summit

Washington, D.C.

MEMBER NEWS


DC BLOX Opens Myrtle Beach Cable Landing Station, Redefining Digital Connectivity in the Southeast


GoNetspeed Announces Completion of 100% Fiber Optic Network Serving Seymour


Google Fiber: Is Your Internet “High Fiber”? Nutrition Labels Can Make it Clear


Google Fiber Shares Guidance for State Broadband Leaders

COMMENT

DEADLINES


October 23

Reply Comments Due on Streamlining E-Rate Application Process


Comments Due on NTIA Middle Mile Program Reports - Questions


October 23

Comments Due on Enhanced A-CAM NOI


Comments Due on 5G Fund for Rural America FNPRM


October 31

Comments Due on Selection Process for New LNP Administrator


November 14

Reply Comments Due on Selection Process for New LNP Administrator


November 21

Reply Comments Due on Enhanced A-CAM NOI


Reply Comments Due on 5G Fund for Rural America FNPRM

INCOMPAS Show Continues to Grow, Providing Industry Valuable Networking Opportunities

Non-stop action was the name of the game at The 2023 INCOMPAS Show in Tampa last week. With record attendance, the Expo, Deal Center and lounges were abuzz with meetings; new connections were made at the Buyers Forum; great insights were shared by our speakers; and a lot of fun was had at our evening receptions and closing party. 


Just because the show is over, doesn't mean the networking has to stop. All registered attendees can continue to connect, network and share in our ConnectIN group on LinkedIn. From ConnectIN, you can download the final attendee list, get the link for our post-show survey to give us feedback on how to make The INCOMPAS Show even better and discover new contacts you may not have met in person last week in Tampa. 


If you didn't get your print copy of The INCOMPAS Show Daily, you can download the Monday and Tuesday issues to see all the news announced by exhibitors and sponsors, as well as INCOMPAS members, before and at the show. 


Interested in networking year-round?


Contact us to find out more about the benefits of INCOMPAS membership.


As an INCOMPAS member, not only do you get significant discounts and other perks related to our annual show, you'll also benefit from marketing opportunities to a broad audience, policy advocacy work and access to our exclusive member portal, where you can continue to make new connections all year long.


Email Clay Marlin or Julia Strow for more details.

FCC Announces Compliance Dates for Broadband Labeling Rules

An FCC notice was published in the Federal Register announcing compliance dates for certain rules in the November 2022 Report and Order on Broadband Consumer Labels. The order is effective October 10, 2023, and compliance with sections 8.1(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(4) through (a)(6) (Transparency), for providers with 100,000 or fewer subscriber lines is required as of October 10, 2024, and for all other providers is required as of April 10, 2024, except compliance with the requirement in Section 8.1(a)(2) to make labels accessible in online account portals will not be required for all providers until October 10, 2024. Compliance with Section 8.1(a)(3) is required for all providers as of October 10, 2024.

FCC and Singapore IMDA Sign Robocall Enforcement Partnership

The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) of Singapore and the FCC have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen cross-border efforts to combat unsolicited and unlawful communications including scams.


The MOU seeks to enhance cooperation in regulatory enforcement activities related to scams; and mutual information exchanges in areas such as regulatory frameworks and technical and policy solutions related to unsolicited and unlawful communications in Singapore and the United States. By working together and sharing strategic insights on scams, IMDA and FCC aim to combat the growing threat of scams, thereby mitigating the risk that citizens and businesses face from fraudulent activities.

Public Invited to Comment on Volume 2 of Kansas Broadband Plan

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced the release of the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Initial Proposal Volume 2. As part of the planning process, the public is invited to submit their comments on the planning document. Together with the BEAD 5-Year Action Plan, Volumes 1 and 2 will help identify areas of need for high-speed internet buildout across the state and outline requirements for applicants to access grant funding. 


Volume 2 outlines defined objectives for broadband infrastructure projects, transparent subgrantee selection processes, and the active participation of eligible entities, all aimed at providing affordable broadband service options to residents. 


Additional components of Volume 2 include: 

  • Plans for equipping the workforce with the necessary skills and resources to support broadband infrastructure development 
  • Initiatives to promote the inclusion of Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) in broadband projects 
  • Strategies for identifying and mitigating cost-related barriers to broadband deployment 
  • Consideration of the environmental impact of broadband projects and efforts to minimize their carbon footprint 
  • An outline of the regulatory approach to be taken by eligible entities in support of broadband infrastructure development 

 

Public comments on Volume 2 can be submitted online here until November 12, 2023. 

Ohio Introduces Pole Replacement and Undergrounding Program

Established in House Bill 33 of the 135th General Assembly, the Broadband Pole Replacement and Undergrounding Program will advance broadband access to residences and businesses throughout Ohio by reimbursing the costs of necessary pole replacements, mid-span pole installations and undergrounding projects that have taken place after July 1, 2023.


The program awards reimbursement grants to qualifying internet service providers to help with the cost of expanding broadband infrastructure. Qualifying broadband service under this program is considered retail wireline broadband service delivering internet access at speeds of 100 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload.


Reimbursements may be made for costs related to pole replacement or mid-span pole installation, including expenditures to remove and dispose of an existing utility pole, purchase, and install a replacement utility pole, and transfer any existing equipment to the new pole. Under this program, undergrounding costs, including the costs to dig a trench, perform directional boring, install conduit and seal the trench are eligible for reimbursement, but only if undergrounding is required by law, regulation or local ordinance, or if it is more economical than the cost of performing a pole replacement.


The program will reimburse qualifying applicants an amount equal to the lesser of $7,500 or 75% of the total amount paid by the applicant for each pole replacement or mid-span pole installation. For undergrounding costs, the reimbursement amount may not exceed the amount available if the applicant had attached broadband infrastructure to utility poles instead of undergrounding the infrastructure.


Download the application packet here.

Bill Introduced to Increase Awareness of Lifeline, ACP

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) introduced a bicameral bill to increase access to broadband service for low-income Americans. The Promoting Access to Broadband Act would:

  • Award grants to at least five states
  • Direct the FCC to consider several factors in evaluating applications
  • Allow states to use the funds to provide information on how to apply for Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program
  • Require the FCC to issue a report to Congress within a year of establishing the grant program evaluating the grant’s effectiveness
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