The Federal Communications Commission proposed rules to advance the transition to Next Generation 911, help ensure that the nation’s 911 system functions effectively, and support the deployment of advanced 911 capabilities—including video, text, and data—that will help first responders save lives. State and local 911 authorities are now transitioning to NG911 by replacing legacy circuit-switched 911 networks with Internet Protocol (IP)-based networks and applications that will support new 911 capabilities, including text, video, and data, as well as improved interoperability and system resilience. As state and local 911 authorities have begun to invest in NG911, some have reported that originating service providers are refusing to connect to these destination points or are otherwise delaying the transition process, which threatens to impose additional costs and delays on 911 authorities. In December, 2022, the FCC proposed to require wireless providers to deliver 911 calls and texts in IP format upon the request of NG911-capable 911 authorities. In the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking adopted, the FCC is proposing similar requirements for the delivery of 911 calls by wireline, interconnected Voice over Internet protocol (VoIP), and Internet-based Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) providers, as well as addressing the allocation of costs for transmitting all IP-based 911 calls.

On June 3, President Joe Biden signed the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, which suspends the debt ceiling through January 1, 2025—and increases the limit on January 2, 2025—while establishing new discretionary spending limits and rescinding certain unobligated funds. In the unceremonious words of the president in another setting, "This is a big [freakin'] deal." And, in Speaker Kevin McCarthy's words, "the biggest spending cut in American history.” But since Congress has allocated many billions for universal broadband over the past few years, will the debt ceiling deal claw back any of that money?

It is clearer than ever that internet access and digital literacy skills are crucial to fully participate in society. From accessing healthcare and job opportunities to building movements and lifelong connections, internet access is an essential utility that all Americans need. Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) across the US are demanding greater access to more reliable and affordable internet and digital literacy classes. While several AAPI organizations have piloted digital skills training programs, a lack of adequate resources including funding, proper software and hardware, and limited staff time can hinder the growth of these programs. To support the great work that community organizations are already doing, Advancing Justice — AAJC partnered with Google.org to distribute $50,000 each to five community organizations working to bridge the digital divide. The organizations selected are: Arab American Association of New York, Asian Counseling & Referral Service, Asian & Pacific Islander American Vote Michigan, Boat People SOS — Houston, and National Asian Pacific Center on Aging. Classes were designed to address the needs of their respective communities and meet students at their current skill level. Many of the programs were launched as hybrid classes allowing flexibility for students to participate online or in-person. The students were also able to access 1:1 support through having volunteers ready to answer questions during class or by having lab days where students could come in for additional support.

The cost to manage video streaming in broadband networks is growing 2-3 times faster than revenue, frustrating broader investment and affordability goals. Some 44 of 50 broadband providers report that streaming video accounted for at least half of all their network traffic, with at least 23 providers reporting that streaming video accounted for at least 70 percent. Three-quarters of broadband providers experience that video streaming negatively impacts their ability to serve their customers without additional investment. Middle mile upgrades and related investments initially budgeted every 4-5 years must now happen every 2-3 years, an 83 percent cost increase in just two years. Revenue can’t keep pace with the rate of traffic growth, even with the addition of new customers. Given the need to ensure affordability, just 11 percent of the broadband providers reported that their customers are willing to pay more for broadband because of the investment requirements to facilitate streaming video. Separate independent reports project internet traffic to grow at 25 percent in coming years, with the firms Alphabet, Meta, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Netflix, Disney+, and TikTok accounting for most traffic. The role of tech platforms to ensure broadband affordability and cost recovery Strand Consult’s new report shows that the single largest financial beneficiary of broadband is the set of online technology platforms. Whereas telecom providers have been paying billions of dollars for years to support broadband subsidies, the richest tech platforms contribute zero.

Governor Jim Justice (R-WV) announced the preliminary approval of more than $18 million for various broadband infrastructure projects throughout the state. The announcement includes applications received under the programs Line Extension Advancement and Development (LEAD), Major Broadband Project Strategies (MBPS), and Wireless Internet Networks (WIN). The programs are branches of Gov. Justice’s Billion-Dollar Broadband Strategy—a plan to invest over $1 billion in state and federal funds to make broadband connectivity available for the first time to 200,000 West Virginia homes and businesses. The announcement marks the first preliminary award made for the WIN program which covers state parks and forests by expanding wireless technology. Under the WIN program, funding will allow upgrades to the three towers with 5G and mid-band wireless technology to bring high-speed reliable connectivity to Coopers Rock State Forest, Watoga State Park, and the surrounding areas, significantly increasing public safety and elements of tourism. The state’s total investment of $18,675,465 will leverage an additional $19,155,920 from other funding sources, for a total broadband infrastructure investment of $37,831,385 for this round alone.

Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB) understands that access to high-speed, high-quality broadband service is essential to Nebraska’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. This is why the Nebraska Farm Bureau is excited to work with SpaceX’s Starlink, to better fulfill the broadband needs of all Nebraskans. This will provide Farm Bureau members with two months of free service, a nearly $200 value when subscribing to Starlink for high-speed broadband internet service in remote and rural areas in Nebraska. While the carriers, providers, and telecoms continue to grapple with federal and state monies to get quality broadband to rural areas of the country, Starlink and NEFB thought it was important to take this broadband service issue into our own hands and deliver the connectivity to our farm, ranch, and rural members in a way that avoids the regulatory hoops and the high cost of getting fiber to the “last mile.” This Starlink and NEFB partnership will provide savings and service of broadband to rural areas that may be years away from getting this valuable connectivity.  

Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) introduced the bipartisan Platform Accountability and Transparency Act (PATA) alongside Senate colleagues Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), John Cornyn (R-TX), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Mitt Romney (R-UT). The bill would require social media companies to share more data with the public and researchers.

• Independent researchers would be able to submit proposals to the National Science Foundation, an independent agency that approves research and development proposals across the sciences. If the requests are approved, social media companies would be required to provide the necessary data to the researchers subject to strict privacy protections.
• The bill would require that platforms proactively make certain information available to researchers and the public on an ongoing basis, such as:
  • A comprehensive ad library;
  • Statistics about content moderation;
  • Real-time data about viral content; and
  • Descriptions of a platform’s ranking and recommendation algorithms.
• The proposal would also protect researchers from legal liability that may arise from automatically collecting public-facing platform information if they comply with various privacy safeguards.