Press Release

Consolidated Communications reported results for the first quarter of 2023. The company:

• Achieved record consumer fiber broadband net adds of 12,337, an increase of 60% versus the first quarter of 2022. Consumer broadband net adds were positive by 2,404;
• Grew consumer fiber broadband revenue by 56% and increased the average-revenue-per-user (ARPU) by 5.7%;
• Completed 53,858 fiber upgrades to Gigabit+ speeds, now extending fiber-to-the-premises (FttP) capabilities to 40% of the addressable market.

The Maine Connectivity Authority is launching a new program to provide targeted support to Broadband Utility Districts (BUDs) in Maine. Broadband Utility Districts are community-based organizations formed to build and operate broadband networks to increase access to high-speed internet. The utility district ownership model is a critical part of helping enable regional scale impact resulting in improved connectivity and digital equity in Maine. The districts often partner with service providers to operate the network, while the communities in the districts own the internet infrastructure.

Governor Jared Polis (D-CO) signed the bipartisan Senate Bill 23-183 (SB23-183), removing the biggest barrier to providing all Coloradans with access to high-speed broadband and allowing the state to capitalize on upcoming federal broadband funding for capital projects and digital adoption programs. SB23-183 revises a law established in 2005, SB05-152, which prohibited most uses of municipal or county money for infrastructure to improve local broadband service without obtaining voter approval to opt-out.

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) is releasing a public request for information (RFI) to learn more about the automated tools used by employers to surveil, monitor, evaluate, and manage workers. The RFI seeks to advance our understanding of the design, deployment, prevalence, and impacts of these automated technologies. Employers are increasingly investing in technologies that monitor and track workers, and making workplace decisions based on that information. Through this RFI, we hope to gather:

The Federal Communications Commission proposed $8,778,527.39 in fines against 22 applicants in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) Phase I Auction (Auction 904) for apparently violating Commission requirements by defaulting on their bids between May 3, 2022, and December 16, 2022. Two applicants also failed to submit their audited financial paperwork, resulting in an additional monetary liability. The FCC provided clear guidance in its rules and notices on the monetary forfeitures associated with defaults in Auction 904.

Americans increasingly rely on the radio spectrum for much of their daily lives. From texting friends to car navigation these airwaves play an invisible but central role. Much like other important resources, spectrum access is finite. Demand continues to grow.

The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed Reps. Bob Latta (R-OH5) and Robin Kelly’s (D-IL2) bipartisan legislation, H.R. 1339, the Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act. H.R. 1339 would require the Federal Communications Commission to review its current satellite rules to determine if rule changes can be made to promote precision agriculture.

Charter Communications reported its financial and operating results for first quarter 2023. Broadband results include:

T-Mobile US reported its first-quarter 2023 results on April 27, 2023. In total, service revenues of $15.5 billion grew an industry-leading 3 percent year-over-year, including industry-leading postpaid service revenue growth of 6 percent year-over-year. Net income of $1.9 billion grew 172 percent year-over-year. The company's broadband figures include:

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) awarded $139,929.92 in funding from the Universal Service Fund Lifeline Outreach Grant Program to two recipients. The grants were awarded to entities that will assist low-income customers in obtaining affordable access to telecommunications services through the Lifeline program. Project 211 Get Connected was awarded $89,576.92, and the Indianhead Community Action Agency (ICAA) Lifeline Outreach Program was awarded $50,353.00.