Federal Communications Commission

The Federal Communications Commission committed nearly $55 million in a new funding round through the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) Program, which provides digital tools and services to support students in communities across the country. The funding commitment supports applications from the third application window, benefitting approximately 115,000 students nationwide, including students in Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Utah.

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel shared with her colleagues an updated Notice of Inquiry that would kick off the agency’s evaluation of the state of broadband across the country.

The Federal Communications Commission adopted the Enhanced Alternative Connect America Cost Model (A-CAM) program as a voluntary path for supporting the widespread deployment of 100/20 Mbps broadband service throughout the rural areas served by carriers currently receiving A-CAM support and in areas served by legacy rate-of-return support recipients. In adopting this program, the FCC promotes the universal availability of voice and broadband networks, while also taking measures to minimize the burden on the nation’s ratepayers.

The Federal Communications Commission's Enforcement Bureau announced a number of senior staff appointments:

• Peter Hyun has joined the agency as Bureau Chief of Staff and Deputy Bureau Chief, joining recently promoted Deputy Bureau Chiefs Jeremy Marcus and Rakesh Patel;
• Additionally, Hunter Deeley and Michael Rhodes have joined the FCC as Assistant Bureau Chiefs; and
• Meghan Ingrisano has been named the new Chief of the Bureau’s Fraud Division; and 
• Patrick McGrath the Chief of the Investigations & Hearings Division.

The Federal Communications Commission's Space Bureau announced its senior leadership team: 

The Federal Communications Commission announced the leadership team of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB). The WTB plays a key role in promoting the deployment of innovative spectrum-based services across the country, as it develops, recommends, and administers the policy and licensing programs relating to terrestrial wireless communications, including mobile broadband, fixed access, private wireless, and personal radio services. Chief Taubenblatt announced the Bureau leadership team, which is made up of both long-time WTB staff members and new additions. The team includes:

The Federal Communication Commission updated minimum service standards for Lifeline-supported services. This standard will continue until December 1, 2024. Additionally, the FCC announced that the budget for federal universal service support for the Lifeline program for calendar year 2024 will be $2,778,691,284.