More Competition and Choice, Not More Regulation |
Last week the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology held a hearing, "Lights, Camera, Subscriptions: State of the Video Marketplace."
In response, INCOMPAS President Angie Kronenberg said, "INCOMPAS’ online content and streaming companies are bringing vibrant competition to the video marketplace, directly benefitting consumers who now have more affordable video options than ever before. Additionally, consumer demand for online content and streaming is driving the business case for more broadband deployment. INCOMPAS’ members traditionally had to offer a broadband and video bundle to compete in the marketplace, but video was a loss leader for them. Now that consumers can get their video online, our competitive broadband members aren’t losing money on the video business, and can focus on deploying more broadband and delivering a quality, affordable online experience."
"It is critical that policymakers resist the pleas from traditional industries that streamers need to be regulated. Since the Telecom Act of 1996, the right policy approach has been to incent competition and remove regulation, not foist old monopoly regulation onto new competitors," she added. "As the conversations about reforming the contribution base for the Universal Service Fund continue to unfold, we at INCOMPAS have shown that the fastest, most sensible approach to stabilize the Fund is for the FCC to expand the contribution base to include broadband internet access service revenues. Any suggestions that include expanding the FCC's jurisdiction to edge providers is rife with problems and will greatly distort the marketplace. We look forward to working with the Committee to ensure consumers have access to competitive, affordable service and working to put the USF on a sustainable path."
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FCC to Host Sept. 27 Broadband and Maternal Health Webinar |
On Wednesday, September 27, the FCC's Connect2HealthFCC Task Force will host a webinar to demonstrate the newly updated Mapping Broadband Health in America platform incorporating maternal health data. The platform is designed to help drive innovative broadband-enabled solutions, such as telehealth, in areas impacted by poor maternal health outcomes, including higher maternal mortality or severe maternal morbidity. Increasingly, broadband connectivity is recognized as an essential component to improving health, access to healthcare and health equity, yet organizations and policymakers often need shared information on where gaps and opportunities exist to help them effectively leverage broadband to improve maternal health.
This webinar will explore how the platform can be used to generate actionable insights and provide an opportunity for users to inform further development of this important tool. Participants will learn how to generate customized maps and visualize the intersection of broadband connectivity and maternal health data. Specifically, the public can use this platform to:
- Intersect broadband data and maternal mortality or severe maternal morbidity rates at the state level
- Determine how connectivity and access to obstetric care coincide at the county level, revealing “double burden” counties (i.e., those with higher health need and lower connectivity resources)
- View connectivity metrics (e.g., Internet adoption, download speed) and maternal health data filtered by rurality, race/ethnicity and maternal age to visualize patterns, possible disparities, and areas where broadband-enabled interventions could create the greatest impact
- Visualize the intersection of broadband and mental health provider shortages, given the association between mental health and poor maternal health outcomes.
Click here to register.
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CPUC to Host Webinar on California Teleconnect Fund |
In ongoing efforts to bridge the digital divide, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will hold a free webinar on the California Teleconnect Fund (CTF), which provides eligible organizations with discounted rates on select telecommunications and broadband services. The webinar is scheduled for Monday, September 25, 2023 from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. PT. During this virtual event, CPUC staff will discuss the program’s history, mission and how to qualify.
The CTF is dedicated to ensuring that eligible California organizations have access to discounted telecommunication services. This initiative aims to promote digital equity and enhance the quality of life for all Californians. During the webinar, CPUC staff will cover the following topics: background of the CTF program; eligibility criteria; CTF funding, subsidies, and budget sources; telecommunication services supported by CTF; the impact of the CTF program and its participants; and challenges faced and future developments ahead.
Register here.
Have questions on the CTF or need assistance? Email CTFOutreach@cpuc.ca.gov.
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Equipment Reimbursement Program Status Report Deadline |
The FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau issued a public notice reminding recipients in the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program of their obligation to file status updates with the FCC every 90 days, beginning on the date the bureau approved their application until the obligation to file expires.
All recipients were required to file the last status update on July 10, 2023, and their next update is due October 9, 2023. Recipients must submit status updates through the portal.
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White House Releases Technical Assistance Resources to
Help Communities Unlock Investing in America Opportunities
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The White House released an updated technical assistance guide that focuses on federal and state technical assistance programs aimed at accessing and deploying Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act funding. The updated technical assistance guide builds on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Guidebook, Rural Playbook, Tribal Playbook, and the Inflation Reduction Act’s Guidebook and Tribal Guidebook. This new guide highlights programs that help communities navigate programs and resources that enable them to deliver infrastructure, clean energy and climate resilience projects. The White House also maintains a web page with resources on the Inflation Reduction Act’s “elective pay” (often called “direct pay”) provisions, through which tax-exempt and governmental entities can, for the first time, take advantage of tax credits for building clean energy projects.
While some of these programs offer hands-on and intensive planning and delivery support for communities, others are more self-directed resources and tools such as webinars and websites, or funding that can support project planning. The guide covers more than 150 technical assistance and capacity building programs encompassing well over $1 billion in Federal support. In addition to federal programs, the guide is also highlighting over a dozen new commitments from states to support local government applicants.
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Basil Gooden Nominated as USDA Rural Development Chief |
The White House nominated Basil Gooden for Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack touted the nomination in a statement, saying that Gooden “is a widely-respected, accomplished champion for affordable housing, community advancement, and economic development. His public service career is informed by a lifelong commitment to agriculture and rural development.”
If confirmed for the position, Gooden would be responsible for overseeing the activities of the Rural Utilities Services, which encompasses the Water and Environment Programs, the Electric Program and the Telecommunications Program, which is dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural Americans through providing funds to deploy rural telecommunications infrastructure.
Gooden is the current director of state operations for rural development at USDA.
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House E&C to Hold Hearing on Rural Broadband and Funding |
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chair Bob Latta (R-OH) announced a subcommittee hearing titled: “Connecting Every American: The Future of Rural Broadband Funding” that is scheduled for Thursday, September 21, 2023 at 9 a.m. ET.
Witnesses who will be testifying have yet to be announced. The INCOMPAS Policy Team plans to follow this hearing and will provide updates to members. If interested to watch, the hearing will be open to the public and press and will be live streamed on the Committee website.
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Senate Judiciary Holds Hearing on Legislating AI |
The Senate Committee on Judiciary held a hearing on last week entitled, “Oversight of A.I.: Legislating on Artificial Intelligence” and featured Microsoft Corp. Vice Chair and President Brad Smith and Nvidia Corp. Chief Scientist and Senior Vice President of Research William Dally.
A bipartisan Senate plan to oversee AI is “a very strong and positive step in the right direction,” Microsoft President Brad Smith told a Senate panel as lawmakers develop the measure. Congress is increasingly seeking to keep up with the emerging technology.
Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) last week unveiled a proposal to regulate AI, a bipartisan legislative framework that would create licensing requirements for AI developers to be overseen by an independent office. It would also seek to defend national security interests and ensure legal and privacy protections for consumers.
The Senators’ proposal is one of several ideas circulating on Capitol Hill as lawmakers work to improve their understanding of AI’s threats and opportunities. Sen. Hawley also joined Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chris Coons (D-DE) and Susan Collins (R-ME) on another AI-related bill that aims to keep deepfakes from influencing elections. The bill would ban the use of AI to generate deceptive content that falsely depicts federal candidates in political ads.
View the hearing on-demand.
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