Press Release

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) awarded funding from the state’s Broadband Expansion Grant Program. The PSC awarded $16,601,085 for 24 projects that will expand broadband internet to 6,042 residential and 276 business locations that are underserved. The projects receiving awards will impact 19 counties. The grant awards will leverage $25,360,858 of matching funds from recipients. The broadband expansion grants invest in infrastructure projects for internet service in areas of the state where people need improved service.

President Joe Biden will nominate the following individuals to serve as key leaders in the Federal Communications Commission:

The Data Protection Commission (“the DPC”) concluded its inquiry into Meta Platforms Ireland Limited (“Meta Ireland”), examining the basis upon which Meta Ireland transfers personal data from the European Union/ European Economic Area to the US in connection with the delivery of its Facebook service.

On May 18 in Philadelphia (PA), the Penn Carey Law Alumni Society bestowed its Louis H. Pollak Award on Gigi Sohn, the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society’s Senior Fellow and Public Advocate. The Louis H. Pollak Award is presented each year to a member of the Penn Carey Law alumni community who pursues a career advancing justice through service to others. Sohn is being recognized for serving as an inspiration and role model to Penn Carey Law students and alumni aspiring to impactful careers in public service.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), through a cooperative agreement with USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), has awarded $16 million in subgrants funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to 36 projects aimed at testing innovative outreach strategies to increase participation and equity in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, known as WIC.

The Federal Communications Commission took a holistic approach to expand the use of over 1 gigahertz of prime mid-band spectrum in the 12 GHz bands by ensuring stable spectrum access for current and next-generation satellite service while also empowering advanced terrestrial wireless services. The FCC adopted rules to preserve spectrum between 12.2-12.7 GHz for current and future satellite services. The FCC also proposed policies that would position the 12.7-13.25 GHz band to support flexible terrestrial wireless use, including 6G wireless services.

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced the agenda for its June 2023 Open Commission Meeting. In June 2023, the FCC is:

US Sens Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced the Digital Platform Commission Act, the first-ever legislation in Congress to create an expert federal agency to provide comprehensive regulation of digital platforms to protect consumers, promote competition, and defend the public interest.

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has awarded grants totaling $4,997,592.68 to ten Tribes as part of the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP). With funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), these new grants bring the total of the program to over $1.77 billion awarded to 157 Tribal entities. These grants will help reduce monthly Internet service costs, plan for future Internet infrastructure investments, upgrade network equipment, and purchase devices.

The Federal Communications Commission wrote to the largest Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) providers using alternate verification processes to request a subscriber eligibility crosscheck with the National Verifier system. The FCC also requested information on these providers’ continued need to use an alternative verification process and how the process is sufficient to protect program funds. In addition to the letters to participating ACP providers, the FCC announced additional steps to protect the integrity of the ACP Program: