Today: Fixed Wireless Internet Availability to Rural/Underserved Areas, FCC Announces applicants for the NDBEDP "iCanConnect", FCC Seeks Comment on Petition for Stay of ICC Reform Transition for Tandem Switching and Transport Services.
First Wave of Fixed Wireless Internet Availability to Rural/Underserved Areas
AT&T issued a press release announcing completion of its first wave of fixed wireless internet availability for rural and underserved locations in Georgia. AT&T said “This is part of our FCC Connect America Fund commitment to serve over 400,000 locations by the end of 2017 and over 1.1 million locations by 2020.” The work in Georgia is expanding to 17 more states this year. Those additional 17 states are: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.
The fixed wireless internet service delivers a home internet connection with download speeds of at least 10Mbps. The connection comes from a wireless tower to a fixed antenna on customers’ homes or businesses. “Access to the internet is an important tool for advancing opportunities in communities. It creates economic growth, helps increase community engagement and makes education accessible,” said Eric Boyer, senior vice president, Wireless and Wired Product Marketing at AT&T. “We’re committed to utilizing available technologies to connect hard-to-reach locations.”
FCC Announces Applicants For the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program
The FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) released a list of entities that have applied for certification to participate in the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP), also known as “iCanConnect.” The announcement puts all certification applicants on notice of competing applications. The CGB received at least one application for certification for each jurisdiction. On a rolling basis, it will release additional public notices announcing entities selected for certification under the permanent NDBEDP after reviewing applications and supplemental materials received for each state. In addition, CGB will take appropriate steps to minimize possible disruptions of service by providing as much advance notice as possible about such selection. The NDBEDP will be converted from a pilot program to a permanent program as of July 1, 2017.
FCC Seeks Comment on Petition for Stay of ICC Reform Transition
The FCC is asking for comment on a petition filed by CenturyLink requesting a limited stay of the price cap carrier rate transition for tandem switching and transport services for years 6 and 7. CenturyLink argues that if this stage of the ICC transition is not suspended there will likely be a “confusing morass as carriers take a variety of different approaches” to the requirements regarding the pricing of tandem switched services in the Year 6 annual tariff filing process that begins June 16, 2017. TMI Briefing Service subscribers see Briefing dated 4/25/17.
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The Regulatory Mix, TMI’s daily 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 a TMI Briefing.
