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Posted by Amy Gross on 8/12/20 4:22 PM

Today's Regulatory Mix: Rosenworcel Releases New Podcast, US Senate Ensuring Network Security Act Introduced, US Senate ACCESS the Internet Act Introduced

 

rosenworcel-bio-page-09122018Rosenworcel Releases New Podcast

FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel announced the releases of a new episode of her podcast, Broadband Conversations, the podcast dedicated to amplifying the voices of women from across the technology, innovation and media sectors.  The latest episode featured Emily Ramshaw, Co-Founder and CEO of The 19th, a non-profit, nonpartisan news organization focused on reporting on women, policy, and politics. Emily was previously editor-in-chief of the Texas Tribune and serves on the board of the Pulitzer Prize. Rosenworcel said:

 

“For far too long, women and women of color have been at the margins of our media. The 19th, a new, nonpartisan non-profit newsroom is working to change that. Emily Ramshaw has an impressive history in journalism and her work to diversify newsgathering with The 19th comes not a moment too soon. Because it was one hundred years ago this month that the 19th Amendment, which guaranteed women the right to vote, was ratified. A century later we know we need efforts like The 19th to help ensure our news media reflects the full diversity of our country. This is especially true during the current health care crisis, when one of three jobs deemed essential are held by women. We all benefit from hearing and sharing these women’s stories and learning more about the challenges they face and the opportunities they see.”

 

 

 

US-Capitol-Building-Dome-Interior-Photo-Credit-courtesy-of-washington_org_US Senate Ensuring Network Security Act Introduced

U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Ron Johnson (R-WI) announced they introduced bipartisan legislation that would help safeguard American telecommunications networks against cyber threats from untrusted foreign equipment suppliers, including those linked to the Chinese government.  S4472, the Ensuring Network Security Act would expand access to federal funding for telecommunications providers and educational institutions for the removal and replacement of prohibited telecommunications equipment from dangerous sources, including Huawei and ZTE. Equipment would be replaced by trusted and known suppliers.  In particular, the legislation would allow both telecommunications carriers that service between two to ten million customers and public and private educational institutions to apply for this funding through the Federal Communications Commission. The bill builds off the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act signed into law earlier this year, which prohibits telecommunications companies from installing equipment from untrusted suppliers and formed a program to reimburse telecommunications providers serving under two million customers.

 

“As we become increasingly interconnected – especially during this pandemic – it is vital our telecommunications networks are secured against adversaries like the Chinese government. We must have affordable and reliable telecommunications grids that can withstand national security and economic challenges,” said Senator Peters, Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and a member of the Commerce, Science and Technology Committee. “This bipartisan bill will further transition our nation away from relying on foreign telecommunications networks that may jeopardize our security – while incentivizing and encouraging domestic suppliers. In doing so, we can strengthen the network security for Michigan.”

 

“The vulnerabilities associated with the development and deployment of 5G technology, especially the threat posed by China, are one of the 'generational threats that will shape our nation’s future,' as the FBI recently put it,” said Senator Johnson, Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. “This critical legislation addresses an eligibility issue so that all appropriate telecommunications carriers can access funds to ‘rip and replace’ equipment that poses a national security threat. In our increasingly connected world, it is imperative that 100% of our communications networks are secure, and this bill will help accomplish that.”

 

US Cap PA Ave dusk  shutterstockUS Senate ACCESS the Internet Act Introduced

U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and John Cornyn (R-TX) announced the introduction of the bipartisan Accelerating Connected Care and Education Support Services on the Internet (ACCESS the Internet) Act (S. 4515) to expand reliable broadband access for education and telehealth appointments for rural America during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ACCESS the Internet Act provides funding for the Education Stabilization Fund, hotspots through libraries, and telehealth services through the FCC and VA.

 

Specifically, the bill authorizes $2 billion in dedicated funding across the government for distance learning and telehealth initiatives, including:

  • $1.3 billion for the Department of Education, including a $20% set aside for rural school districts to ensure they have the funding they need for distance learning 
  • $200 million for the Institute for Museum & Library Services (IMLS), including a minimum allotment of $1.6 million per State to allow States, Tribes, and Territories to purchase and distribute Internet-connected devices to libraries in low-income and rural areas, building on the HOTSPOTS Act introduced by Senators Manchin and Collins.
  • $400 million for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) COVID-19 Telehealth Program, including a 20% set aside for small, rural providers that may have been left out of the competitive first round of telehealth funding
  • $100 million for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Telehealth and Connected Care Services for the provision of Internet-connected devices and services for veterans in rural, unserved areas.

"The current COVID-19 pandemic has shone a new light on the broadband issues in West Virginia and across rural America. Americans and West Virginians have had to adjust to a new way of working, learning, and living from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic and for most people, this change relies on accessible, reliable broadband which many rural Americans do not have,” Senator Manchin said. “Today my bipartisan colleague and I introduced the ACCESS the Internet Act to provide $2 billion in dedicated funding across the government to help with broadband access and connectivity. This commonsense bill could help our children, Veterans, and families access reliable broadband to pay their bills, complete their homework, and keep up with doctor’s appointments. Without this access, over 400,000 West Virginians could fall behind and that is just unacceptable. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to include this language in future COVID-19 relief package.”

 

“Half a million households in Texas don’t have access to broadband internet, making it impossible to learn and work remotely during a pandemic,” said Senator Cornyn. “By providing dedicated funding to schools, libraries, healthcare providers, and the VA, we can make internet access a reality for more low-income and rural Texans.”

 

 

GET COVID-19 STATE REGULATORY ACTION LIST HERE

 

__________________________

 

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 moitoring team uncovers each day. Depending on their significance, some items may be the subject of an Inteserra Briefing.

 

Receive Sample Trac-It Report!

 

Contact Us   for  Broadband Reporting Assistance!

 

 

 

Topics: US Senate, FCC Commissioner Rosenworcel, Broadband Conversations, Ensuring Network Security Act, ACCESS the Internet Act

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Posted by Amy Gross on 8/12/20 4:22 PM

Today's Regulatory Mix: Rosenworcel Releases New Podcast, US Senate Ensuring Network Security Act Introduced, US Senate ACCESS the Internet Act Introduced

 

rosenworcel-bio-page-09122018Rosenworcel Releases New Podcast

FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel announced the releases of a new episode of her podcast, Broadband Conversations, the podcast dedicated to amplifying the voices of women from across the technology, innovation and media sectors.  The latest episode featured Emily Ramshaw, Co-Founder and CEO of The 19th, a non-profit, nonpartisan news organization focused on reporting on women, policy, and politics. Emily was previously editor-in-chief of the Texas Tribune and serves on the board of the Pulitzer Prize. Rosenworcel said:

 

“For far too long, women and women of color have been at the margins of our media. The 19th, a new, nonpartisan non-profit newsroom is working to change that. Emily Ramshaw has an impressive history in journalism and her work to diversify newsgathering with The 19th comes not a moment too soon. Because it was one hundred years ago this month that the 19th Amendment, which guaranteed women the right to vote, was ratified. A century later we know we need efforts like The 19th to help ensure our news media reflects the full diversity of our country. This is especially true during the current health care crisis, when one of three jobs deemed essential are held by women. We all benefit from hearing and sharing these women’s stories and learning more about the challenges they face and the opportunities they see.”

 

 

 

US-Capitol-Building-Dome-Interior-Photo-Credit-courtesy-of-washington_org_US Senate Ensuring Network Security Act Introduced

U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Ron Johnson (R-WI) announced they introduced bipartisan legislation that would help safeguard American telecommunications networks against cyber threats from untrusted foreign equipment suppliers, including those linked to the Chinese government.  S4472, the Ensuring Network Security Act would expand access to federal funding for telecommunications providers and educational institutions for the removal and replacement of prohibited telecommunications equipment from dangerous sources, including Huawei and ZTE. Equipment would be replaced by trusted and known suppliers.  In particular, the legislation would allow both telecommunications carriers that service between two to ten million customers and public and private educational institutions to apply for this funding through the Federal Communications Commission. The bill builds off the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act signed into law earlier this year, which prohibits telecommunications companies from installing equipment from untrusted suppliers and formed a program to reimburse telecommunications providers serving under two million customers.

 

“As we become increasingly interconnected – especially during this pandemic – it is vital our telecommunications networks are secured against adversaries like the Chinese government. We must have affordable and reliable telecommunications grids that can withstand national security and economic challenges,” said Senator Peters, Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and a member of the Commerce, Science and Technology Committee. “This bipartisan bill will further transition our nation away from relying on foreign telecommunications networks that may jeopardize our security – while incentivizing and encouraging domestic suppliers. In doing so, we can strengthen the network security for Michigan.”

 

“The vulnerabilities associated with the development and deployment of 5G technology, especially the threat posed by China, are one of the 'generational threats that will shape our nation’s future,' as the FBI recently put it,” said Senator Johnson, Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. “This critical legislation addresses an eligibility issue so that all appropriate telecommunications carriers can access funds to ‘rip and replace’ equipment that poses a national security threat. In our increasingly connected world, it is imperative that 100% of our communications networks are secure, and this bill will help accomplish that.”

 

US Cap PA Ave dusk  shutterstockUS Senate ACCESS the Internet Act Introduced

U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and John Cornyn (R-TX) announced the introduction of the bipartisan Accelerating Connected Care and Education Support Services on the Internet (ACCESS the Internet) Act (S. 4515) to expand reliable broadband access for education and telehealth appointments for rural America during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ACCESS the Internet Act provides funding for the Education Stabilization Fund, hotspots through libraries, and telehealth services through the FCC and VA.

 

Specifically, the bill authorizes $2 billion in dedicated funding across the government for distance learning and telehealth initiatives, including:

  • $1.3 billion for the Department of Education, including a $20% set aside for rural school districts to ensure they have the funding they need for distance learning 
  • $200 million for the Institute for Museum & Library Services (IMLS), including a minimum allotment of $1.6 million per State to allow States, Tribes, and Territories to purchase and distribute Internet-connected devices to libraries in low-income and rural areas, building on the HOTSPOTS Act introduced by Senators Manchin and Collins.
  • $400 million for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) COVID-19 Telehealth Program, including a 20% set aside for small, rural providers that may have been left out of the competitive first round of telehealth funding
  • $100 million for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Telehealth and Connected Care Services for the provision of Internet-connected devices and services for veterans in rural, unserved areas.

"The current COVID-19 pandemic has shone a new light on the broadband issues in West Virginia and across rural America. Americans and West Virginians have had to adjust to a new way of working, learning, and living from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic and for most people, this change relies on accessible, reliable broadband which many rural Americans do not have,” Senator Manchin said. “Today my bipartisan colleague and I introduced the ACCESS the Internet Act to provide $2 billion in dedicated funding across the government to help with broadband access and connectivity. This commonsense bill could help our children, Veterans, and families access reliable broadband to pay their bills, complete their homework, and keep up with doctor’s appointments. Without this access, over 400,000 West Virginians could fall behind and that is just unacceptable. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to include this language in future COVID-19 relief package.”

 

“Half a million households in Texas don’t have access to broadband internet, making it impossible to learn and work remotely during a pandemic,” said Senator Cornyn. “By providing dedicated funding to schools, libraries, healthcare providers, and the VA, we can make internet access a reality for more low-income and rural Texans.”

 

 

GET COVID-19 STATE REGULATORY ACTION LIST HERE

 

__________________________

 

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 moitoring team uncovers each day. Depending on their significance, some items may be the subject of an Inteserra Briefing.

 

Receive Sample Trac-It Report!

 

Contact Us   for  Broadband Reporting Assistance!

 

 

 

Topics: US Senate, FCC Commissioner Rosenworcel, Broadband Conversations, Ensuring Network Security Act, ACCESS the Internet Act

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