September 2023

Kentucky Pursues Full and Equitable Digital Access for All

The goal of the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s Digital Equity Plan is to establish a roadmap that ensures everyone, regardless of their background or community, has access to the necessary technological resources to fully engage in our society, democracy, and economy. The Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet’s (ELC) Department of Workforce Development (DWD) has made the state's draft plan available to the public for feedback until October 15, 2023.

Weekly Digest

FCC Announces Major ACP Provider Voluntarily Repaid Nearly $50 Million, Issues Advisory Provider Compliance With Program Rules

The Federal Communications Commission’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) announced that, following its investigation, a major Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provider has voluntarily repaid $49.4 million that it improperly claimed between June 2021 and July 2022. The provider disclosed its improper claims and repaid the monies after OIG sent the provider a warning letter and requested that the provider explain its claims data which indicated noncompliance with program usage requirements.

Vermont Community Broadband Board Awards Almost $60 Million Towards Vermont's Broadband Buildout

The Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) awarded $58.9 million in grants to Vermont’s Communications Union Districts (CUDs) in summer 2023. The construction grants were approved to expand broadband in five different CUDs across the state, bringing broadband to at least 13,000 currently underserved homes and businesses. The most recent grants were approved earlier in September 2023.

Charter Gets Lion’s Share of $22 Million in North Carolina Broadband Funding

Charter Communications won close to $16 million in funding to cover some of the costs of making broadband available in seven North Carolina counties. The funding was part of a total of $22 million awarded through the Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) program. The awards were made by the North Carolina Department of Information Technology (NCDIT). According to the agency, the funding awarded in this round will connect 6,012 households and 164 businesses. Funding recipients must provide service at speeds of at least 100/20 Mbps, scalable to 100/100 Mbps. Projects must be completed by Dec.

Chairwoman Calls on Wireless Industry and Related Associations to Explore 988 Routing Solutions

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel encouraged wireless carriers and industry associations to take the necessary steps to identity and develop a 988 georouting solution that could be deployed in wireless networks nationwide. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a national network of more than 200 crisis centers that helps thousands of people overcome crisis situations every day. These centers are supported by local and state resources as well as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.