The FCC announced authorization of over $39.2 million in federal funding over the next decade to expand broadband to 15,442 unserved rural New York homes and businesses, in partnership with the state’s New NY Broadband Program. Providers will begin receiving funding this month.
“Partnering with New York to expand broadband into unserved rural areas of the state was one of my first acts as Chairman,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “Closing the digital divide is the FCC’s top priority, and I’m proud that this partnership will provide many rural New Yorkers with access to the opportunities that high-speed Internet offers.”
The federal funding is being provided through the FCC’s Connect America Fund, which is part of a broader effort by the FCC to close the digital divide in rural America. Chairman Pai recently proposed launching a new Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, which would provide at least $20.4 billion over 10 years to expand broadband to additional rural areas. If approved, this new Fund would represent the FCC’s single biggest step yet to close the digital divide. The FCC is scheduled to vote on launching a rulemaking to establish the Fund on Aug. 1.
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The Regulatory Mix Today: New York to get $39.2 Million in Federal Funding, FCC Announces Membership of CSRIC VII
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In a Public Notice, the FCC announced that Chairman Pai has appointed members to serve on the Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council (CSRIC or Council) VII. The CSRIC will hold its first meeting on Friday, July 19, 2019. A full list of the CSRIC VII members is attached to the Public Notice. The CSRIC membership represents a range of interests, including public safety entities; state, local, tribal, and federal government; small and rural communications providers; nationwide telecommunications providers; and other interested parties. The CSRIC will examine specific, complex technical issues assigned to it by the Chairman.
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The Regulatory Mix, Inteserra’s blog of telecom related regulatory activities, is a snapshot of PUC, FCC, legislative, and occasionally court issues that our regulatory monitoring team uncovers each day. Depending on their significance, some items may be the subject of an Inteserra Briefing.