Iowa Broadband Grant Applications Now Being Accepted - New Broadband Map Released

In a press release the Governor of Iowa announced that the application window for the Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grant Program has officially opened, making $5 million dollars in grant funds available for communication service providers who expand high-speed Internet service into unserved areas in Iowa.   The application window will be open from Sept. 20, 2019 through Oct. 18, 2019. The grants are part of legislation that was passed earlier this year as a part of the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Initiative.  Information about the grant application process can be found at this link.

“You can’t succeed in the Information Economy if you’re not connected to the Information Superhighway, “said Gov. Reynolds.  “Broadband connectivity is a central component to our Empower Rural Iowa Initiative because connecting our rural communities is fundamental to all aspects of growth and prosperity.  High-speed broadband will not only make Iowa a hub for innovation, but is vital for keeping our young people here and attracting others to Iowa.”

The Office of the Chief Information Officer also released a new broadband map of Iowa today that incorporates the latest broadband availability data published by the FCC. Comments from the public have been incorporated into the map, which identifies Targeted Service Areas that are eligible to receive incentives under the program.

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The Regulatory Mix Today: Iowa Broadband Grant Applications Now Being Accepted - New Broadband Map Released, FCC Calls Our Sprint for Lifeline Violations, FCC Extends Regulatory Fee Filing Window

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FCC Calls Out Sprint for Lifeline Violations

In a News Release, the FCC announced that it has learned that Sprint Corp. claimed monthly subsidies for serving approximately 885,000 Lifeline subscribers, even though those subscribers were not using the service. The 885,000 subscribers represent nearly 30% of Sprint’s Lifeline subscriber base and nearly 10% of the entire Lifeline program’s subscriber base.  “Lifeline is an important component of our efforts to bring digital opportunity to low-income Americans, and stopping waste, fraud, and abuse in the program has been a top priority of mine since I’ve been at the Commission,” Chairman Pai said.  “It’s outrageous that a company would claim millions of taxpayer dollars for doing nothing.  This shows a careless disregard for program rules and American taxpayers.  I have asked our Enforcement Bureau to investigate this matter to determine the full extent of the problem and to propose an appropriate remedy”

Sprint’s apparent disregard of the non-usage rule initially came to light as a result of an investigation by the Oregon Public Utility Commission.  “I thank the Oregon Public Utility Commission for its work,” Pai said.  “States are an important partner with the FCC in both helping low-income consumers get access to affordable communications through Lifeline and cracking down on waste, fraud, and abuse in the program.”

The “non-usage” rule is designed to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse in the Lifeline program.  It requires Lifeline providers of “free” service to de-enroll subscribers who don’t use their phones—a rule meant to protect Lifeline from wasting payments on service not provided.  Under the non-usage rule, providers of free service may only be reimbursed for a Lifeline subscriber if that subscriber has used the service at least once in the past 30 days.  Providers must de-enroll inactive subscribers after giving them 15 days’ notice.

FCC Extends Regulatory Fee Filing Window

The FCC announced it was extending the due date for FY 2019 regulatory fees for all filers until 11:59 PM on September 27, 2019.  Fees had been due by 11:59 PM today, September 24, 2019.  No reason was given for the extension.

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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.

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