Message from Dave Koren, Executive Director,

OCTA – Ohio's Broadband and Cable Association 

Welcome to October's edition of The OCTA Connection, the monthly newsletter from OCTA – Ohio's Broadband and Cable Association.

We are happy to bring the latest in broadband news to your inbox each month and hope that you find this newsletter informative and insightful. Read on to see updates from OCTA members, important industry news and announcements from our national partner, NCTA.

Be sure to follow OCTA on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn. And you can also visit our website at www.octa.org.

BroadbandOhio BEAD Process: UPDATE

The NTIA has approved Ohio’s BEAD Volume II proposal. This will allow Ohio to request over $793 million in federal funding to implement the BEAD program.

Find More Here

NTIA: Advancing Innovation in a Software-Enabled World: Decoding the Complex Section 1201 Rulemaking

Every three years, the U.S. Copyright Office reviews and occasionally recommends expanding legal protections rooted in Section 1201 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 for circumventing access controls on copyrighted works. Last week, the Copyright Office concluded its most recent review and issued its recommendations.

NTIA congratulates the Copyright Office and the Librarian of Congress on completing this important rulemaking, which can help prevent copyright law from getting in the way of vehicle repair, film studies classes, and a plethora of other important activities. We also support the Librarian of Congress’ conclusion that there are issues involving copyright-protected technology that “may require a broader solution” beyond this process. Read More

NTIA: An Update on Implementing the National Spectrum Strategy: The National Spectrum Research and Development Plan

We are thrilled by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy’s publication of the National Spectrum Research and Development Plan. Whether you’re talking about 5G, WiFi, advanced manufacturing, or missions to the moon and beyond, 21st-century American innovation often depends on sufficient access to spectrum. Coordinated, effective research and development can help us expand the overall capacity and usability of that spectrum -- and raise our technological ambitions as a Nation.

That’s why the National Spectrum Strategy committed “to improving collective understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum through coordinated, focused, and sophisticated research and development (R&D)” and called for the U.S. government to develop the R&D Plan working through OSTP. As a result, we now have a plan that identifies top priorities within the following research categories:

• Innovation areas for use-inspired research;
• Innovation areas for fundamental research;
• Research accelerators; and
• Organizational improvements.

More fundamentally, we have a blueprint that will guide government support for spectrum-related research, shape private-sector R&D efforts, and provide a shared reference for the collaboration that makes wireless R&D effective. Read More

Broadband Breakfast: State Control Over FCC’s Pole Regulations – a Blessing or a Curse?

For nearly half of U.S. states, the push to expand broadband access comes with an added challenge: navigating a complex web of state-specific regulations governing utility poles. 

Currently, 23 states and the District of Columbia have exercised "reverse preemption," choosing to regulate their own pole attachment processes rather than default to the Federal Communications Commission's standards under Section 224 of the Communications Act. 

State utility commissioners discussed the pros and cons of this approach during a Federal Communications Bar Association panel Tuesday, noting that its success largely depended on each state’s ability to manage oversight effectively. Read More

Broadband Breakfast: FCC’s Carr: A Bulk Billing Ban ‘Makes No Sense’

"In a surprising move, the Biden-Harris Administration is pushing the FCC to raise the price of Internet service for Americans living in apartments by as much as 50%," Republican Federal Communications Commission Commissioner Brendan Carr said in a lengthy post on his X feed Tuesday. "Their 'bulk billing' plan makes no sense and would hit families like a new broadband tax. This Biden-Harris plan would hurt seniors, students, and low-income individuals in particular."

Bulk billing – a business model that offers internet access to apartment building residents at discounted prices – has been questioned by FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, who argued that consumers should be able to opt out of bulk deals if they want to find their own Internet Service Providers. Read More

Experts: BEAD Success Hinges on States Supplementing FCC Pole Rules

The success of expanding affordable internet access to all Americans hinges on a behind-the-scenes issue that only industry experts tend to discuss: the challenge of connecting broadband infrastructure to utility poles.

During a panel hosted by the Federal Communications Bar Association, telecom experts cautioned that the ambitious goals of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program could be slowed by the complex, costly, and often unpredictable process of attaching communications cables to utility poles.

Without substantial adjustments to address these obstacles, they warned, the nationwide expansion of affordable internet could fall short of Congress’s four-year timeline. Read More

Charter Communications

Comcast

Cox Communications

• Cox Communications Launches New Digital Equity Partner Portal

Broadband Affordability: A Look at the Data

The question of broadband affordability is often clouded by misconceptions, with many discussions overlooking key data points regarding internet pricing and household spending.



Here's what the data actually reveals:

After Hurricanes, Cable ISPs Offer Support

Hurricanes Helene and Milton left widespread devastation in their wake, disrupting lives, communities, and critical infrastructure. In times of disaster, access to communication networks and the internet become essential for coordinating relief, accessing emergency information, and reconnecting families.

To help meet these needs, internet service providers (ISPs) like Charter, Comcast, and Cox have taken steps to provide financial support and keep communities connected. These efforts are crucial in supporting recovery and ensuring that people in impacted areas can stay informed and in touch with vital resources during the long road to rebuilding. Read More

Preserving History, Connecting Rural America

NCTA’s documentary “Every Last Mile,” which premiered this summer, tells the untold story of three broadband crews overcoming significant challenges to connect some of the most remote parts of America. The film captures the resilience and determination of teams working through extreme conditions—from Alaska's rugged islands to the deserts of Arizona—to ensure rural communities are connected to the digital world. Read More