The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, Public Knowledge, Free Press, the United Church of Christ, OC, Inc. Leadership Conference, USC Gould School of Law and Office of the County Counsel, and the County of Santa Clara spoke with Federal Communications Commission General Counsel staff on Oct. 5, 2023, regarding net neutrality. They discussed the status of pending petitions for reconsideration of the FCC’s 2020 Restoring Internet Freedom remand order. They also discussed the California Public Utilities Commission’s petition for review of the order, filed with the D.C. Circuit and mentioned in the draft NPRM, which remains in abeyance pending resolution of the petitions for reconsideration. They asserted the FCC must address the status of the pending petitions in conjunction with any actions it may take in the new open internet docket. Additionally, they asked the FCC to clarify the status of the pending petitions and consider when and how to act upon them.

A momentous milestone has been reached in the journey towards a more inclusive and equitable digital society with the passing of the Digital Equity Bill of Rights, which was recently signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA). California has taken a bold step forward in ensuring that every individual, regardless of their background, circumstances or zip code, has fair and equal access to the benefits and opportunities offered by the Digital Age. California is the first state in the nation to make Digital Equity a legal right. The Digital Equity Bill of Rights (AB414), championed and authored by Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Gómez Reyes, 50th Assembly District in San Bernardino County and Inland Empire, and sponsored by the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF), sets forth a framework of commitment that makes it the policy of the State of California to ensure that broadband is sufficient, equitable, accessible, affordable, reliable and ubiquitous for all Californians. Key provisions of the Digital Equity Bill of Rights include universal access, digital literacy, affordable devices, inclusive content and services, and data privacy and security.

The Federal Communications Commission will hold an Open Meeting on Thursday, October 19, 2023. The FCC will consider:

• A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes to reestablish the Commission’s authority over broadband Internet access service by classifying it as a telecommunications service under Title II of the Communications Act;
• a Declaratory Ruling that would clarify that the use of Wi-Fi on school buses is an educational purpose and the provision of such service is therefore eligible for E-Rate funding;
• a Notice of Inquiry that will seek comment on its proposed plan to improve and enhance maternal health data in the Mapping Broadband Health in America platform;
• a Second Report and Order that would expand unlicensed use of the 6 GHz band by permitting very low power devices to operate in two subbands, and a Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would propose to expand very low power device operations to the remainder of the band;
• a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on the use of high-cost program funding to continue supporting fixed and mobile services in Alaska;
• a Report and Order that would improve Wireless Emergency Alerts by making WEA messages available in additional languages, including American Sign Language (ASL); and
• a Second Report and Order that will enhance support for individuals who are blind or visually impaired by expanding audio description requirements to additional market areas.

Comcast awarded a $17,500 grant to Tri-County Cradle to Career Collaborative (TCCC), a nonprofit in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester (SC) counties. The funds from this grant are designed to educate more than 300 families living in rural and urban neighborhoods on the importance of broadband adoption in the home. In 2022, TCCC launched the Lowcountry Digital Equity Coalition, a regional alliance representing businesses, governments and other organizations dedicated to activities that ensure digital inclusion across Greater Charleston. The announcement comes on the heels of Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg proclaiming October 1 through 6 Digital Inclusion Week in the City of Charleston, with the goal of raising awareness of and promoting action on important digital equity solutions.