Joshua Broder

If you are involved with FTTH or broadband in the US, you should read this! Steve Ross is a very astute journalist/editor with decades of experience in our industry. Some quotes: The demise or reduction in the Affordable Connectivity Program’s reach is by far the biggest reason for the current unexpected decline in deployer construction volume and equipment vendor sales. But tight money, high interest rates, and BEAD’s slow start, along with obsolete carrier thinking, doesn’t help. ACP is tied to financing because it has been assured cash flow for broadband providers — $30 (up to $75 for tribal communities) a month to households with incomes below 200 percent of the poverty line. The money went directly to providers, who were often aided in marketing by local governments, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and nonprofits. Broadband investors and lenders liked the assured cashflow. Not one person I talked to – at banks, in Congress, in deployer and state broadband offices – complained about labor shortages. But no deployer, design, or construction firm I talked to was hiring at more than the replacement rate. This may create a bottleneck as BEAD funds start getting spent.

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With recent congressional scrutiny on FCC practices concerning the Affordable Connectivity Program, mapping accuracies, and broadband funding overlaps, it's clear that navigating FCC regulations remains a formidable challenge for ISPs. From managing accurate broadband maps to complying with evolving regulatory requirements, the landscape is complex. https://lnkd.in/eQrivzTA At Broadband Compliance Genie, we understand these challenges. Our tools, like the Broadband Label Genie and Broadband Reporting Genie, are designed to help ISPs maintain accurate data submissions and streamline FCC compliance processes. Whether it's handling detailed geographic data for FCC maps or ensuring timely submissions for the Broadband Data Collection (BDC), our solutions simplify compliance and keep you ahead of regulatory curves. Why struggle with spreadsheets and manual data management when you can automate and secure your processes with us? Discover how Broadband Compliance Genie can transform your approach to FCC compliance and reporting. Visit our website https://broadbandfacts.ai/ to learn more about our comprehensive solutions. #BroadbandCompliance #FCCRegulations #ISPSupport #Telecom #BroadbandLabelGenie #BroadbandReportingGenie

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State broadband offices must wear many hats when distributing BEAD funds - they are required to ensure that the standards set by Congress in the original bill are met, follow NTIA’s guidance (including multiple curing phases) in how the program is run, and balance these restrictions with the needs surfaced by local stakeholders. All this before the application even opens. How can stakeholders keep up with this complex web of interests? At Widelity we have a dedicated team tracking all the nuances of state, local, and federal requirements. From determining eligibility to writing your application to full grant life cycle support, we are well-equipped to keep you informed and optimize your chances of success. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3NbeF9s #broadband #beadfunding #grantsupport #grantwriting

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Timely permitting decisions are an important component of broadband deployment. WIA is pleased to see Senators Thune, Luján, and Barrasso introduce the bipartisan Accelerating Broadband Permits Act. This commonsense legislation would require federal agencies to prioritize applications at risk of missing the 270-day timeline and reduce the overall project cost to be eligible for federal coordination on applications. Smaller projects and those on federal lands will be critical in bringing connectivity to unconnected communities.  https://lnkd.in/eg8QAqyt

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Public Comment Period Ends September 30 for BEAD Project Area Units The Office of Broadband Access and Expansion wants to remind everyone that the deadline to submit comments for the BEAD Project Area Units (PAUs) is September 30. PAUs are regions across the state for which stakeholders will bid for BEAD funding for broadband projects. They were designed using existing administrative boundaries, including Tribal lands, school districts, census blocks and tracts, and high-cost areas defined by the federal government. The public is encouraged to provide feedback on the PAUs. Stakeholders and others can view the draft PAU boundaries and public comment materials on OBAE’s website https://lnkd.in/gKS-UaZJ. There, you’ll be able to download documents, fill out forms and upload comments back to OBAE. OBAE wants to know if there are any issues in these PAUs that might deter applicants from applying or impede broadband deployment and how changing the PAU boundaries could resolve such issues. If you have questions or concerns about PAUs and the process, you're welcome to attend OBAE's virtual office hours: Tuesday, 9/17 from 10-10:30am​ Tuesday, 9/24 from 10-11am​ CLICK HERE to join office hours: https://lnkd.in/gpsjDru9 Meeting ID: 836 5673 9175 Passcode: 620529 IMPORTANT: ALTERNATIVE PERCENTAGE In addition to BEAD applicants' 100% percentage bid, there is also something called an Alternative Percentage bid. Providers can submit a second bid for a lower percentage of the unserved locations in a Project Area. The applicant can choose which locations and at what percentage to remove for their Alternative Percentage proposal. The idea is that there are some locations in New Mexico’s geographically challenging terrain that will be too difficult or too expensive to serve. These bids will also be considered by OBAE. OBAE has received numerous questions from providers about the size of Project Areas and the challenges of serving the most difficult to reach unserved locations. This Alternative Percentage mechanism exists to address this concern. Watch this short video explanation from BEAD Coordinator Andrew Wilder to learn more: https://lnkd.in/g6KpGeJ8 If you have any questions, please contact OBAE at [email protected].

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Licensed Microwave Prevails – A Viable Option for BEAD funds! 🚀 Alan Davidson, Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), has announced that the agency will soon release new guidelines for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. This update is poised to significantly impact the future of microwave broadband across the nation. The new guidelines will introduce the use of alternative technologies, including fixed microwave, particularly in areas where deploying fiber is not economically feasible. Fixed microwave technology still prevails as a persistent option and cost-effective solution, meeting the diverse needs of rural communities. 👉 Read more about the NTIA’s upcoming guidelines and the BEAD program 📞 Contact Intelpath to take advantage of our microwave planning services. There is no up-front fee, to determine channel availability. #Broadband #DigitalEquity #NTIA #BEAD #Connectivity #TechInnovation #DigitalInclusion #Microwave #mmWave #Telecommunications #WirelessTechnology #NetworkDeployment #FreeOffer #Intelpath #HighSpeedInternet

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ECFiber is extending Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) benefits for eligible customers through May 2024. As quoted in the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society write-up: "ECFiber customers in danger of losing a $30 monthly credit on their bill as the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) expires will receive a one-month extension directly from ECFiber. The decision was made by the executive committee in hopes that the ACP program funding will be replenished by congressional action in the coming weeks. “We can move quickly because we are a small community-oriented ISP,” said committee member Irv Thomae, who chaired ECFiber for many years, “but we cannot provide this support on our own for very long.” ECFiber has also been enhancing the ACP benefit by providing a private $20 monthly credit through its internal affordability fund, which previously had been the source of donations totaling $270,000 to the now-inactive Equal Access to Broadband, Inc., a nonprofit that ECFiber leadership created to develop affordability programs prior to the advent of the ACP. The full governing board of ECFiber had previously voted to continue the $20 subsidy for the remainder of 2024." Continuing the story in a Vermont Business Magazine article: "The cost of building and operating a business that delivers world-class broadband where cable and phone companies refuse to invest means the lowest price ECFiber can offer is $72 a month, largely because it is funded by borrowed money, not grants. “If ECFiber had no debt service expenses, our lowest price could probably be $39 a month,” said F. X. Flinn, Board Chair, “That day is 15 to 25 years in the future, but at that point we will not only be the best technology, but also the low-cost provider. Until then, we need the Federal and State governments to help low-income households with targeted subsidies. The ACP accomplishes that; it certifies eligible households and has a simple system for registering customers. It just needs to be funded.” The combined $50 credit brings that down to $22 for eligible households." For the complete articles, please click the following links below: Broadband Breakfast: https://lnkd.in/gcvxErf3 Vermont Business Magazine: https://lnkd.in/gQReYWpT Benton Institute for Broadband & Society: https://lnkd.in/g_FvV6VG #ecfiber #affordableconnectivityprogram #acp #savetheacp #vermont #vermontbiz

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As broadband deployment continues to accelerate, the complexities of permitting remain one of the biggest hurdles for ISPs and local governments alike. 📡 The latest report from industry leaders offers proven strategies to simplify permitting processes and fast-track broadband projects: ✅ Collaborative Planning: Building strong partnerships between ISPs and municipalities to align project goals and streamline approvals. ✅ Standardized Processes: Implementing uniform standards for applications and documentation, reducing back-and-forth and delays. ✅ Technology Adoption: Leveraging digital platforms and tools to automate processes, track permits, and improve transparency. ✅ Workforce Development: Training local government teams to handle new technologies and understand the unique demands of broadband projects. Want to learn more? Dive into the full report here: https://hubs.la/Q02QrG0K0 Let’s connect to streamline the process and deliver high-speed connectivity faster! [email protected] Essentia, Inc. A Culture Built on Speed. Trust. Expertise. #Broadband #FiberOptics #Permitting #Infrastructure #ISPs Fiber Broadband Association

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At APCO, Catalyst will demonstrate HOMOGENIZED INTEROPERABILITY, showing a unified communications platform connecting different land mobile radio systems and different Broadband / LTE to each other. Here's a diagram of how these networks are connected with technology from Catalyst.

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What we're reading: Find insights in this article from Juan Macias of Duke Energy Corporation and Jeff Livingston of Salt River Project on the role of private #broadband in a resilient, modern grid: "New grid assets must be accompanied by a high degree of connectivity with the utility to ensure efficiency and mitigate potential disturbances across a decentralized grid – more connectivity than many are accustomed to with traditional networks that, until recently, have mostly been commercially owned by third party companies.... The shift to a private LTE network serves as an important step for many utilities in modernizing operations as they look to advance energy objectives. Bringing assets together under a single, secure network, private broadband can give providers a level of control and connectivity needed to support ongoing expansion, enhancing resiliency and security as growth and energy demand continues." https://lnkd.in/gaDfct6z

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🗺️ The FCC National Broadband Map has been updated! The map contains:  - The latest Fabric locations, Version 4 (V4)  - ISP’s Service Availability data as of December 31, 2023    This marks another milestone in granularly mapping where #broadband access is and isn’t across the U.S. to support initiatives working to expand broadband to all.     📊 Stay tuned for our upcoming analysis covering what changed in the Fabric locations and ISP service availability data with this new map update, and how it will affect subsequent broadband deployment initiatives.    🔗 Click here explore the latest version of the National Broadband Map: https://lnkd.in/gmP7G3t4    #digitaldivide #broadbandaccess #FCC #broadbandnetworks

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🚨🔌 Big news for electrical utilities and broadband!🚀🌐 The FCC's new pole attachment rules are here, reshaping the nation's journey towards universal national broadband access. Check out our blog to explore how the proposed reforms are reshaping broadband deployment and what it means for electric utilities – and how the Fulcrum platform can help utilities navigate the changes and challenges with ease. 💪💼📊 #FCC #Broadband #ElectricUtilities #PoleAttachment #RegulatoryCompliance #DigitalTransformation #Fulcrum 🌍💡 Check it out now! https://lnkd.in/d8KRqNSj

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Projections indicate that between 150,000 and 205,000 telecom jobs in the U.S. will be created thanks to the federally funded #Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. This significant increase in workers highlights the importance of equipping individuals not only with the right tools, but with the necessary training and expertise to thrive in this expanding and evolving sector. Our latest blog dives into 5 ways to upskill these new field technicians for rapid rural #FTTx deployments under #BEAD. ➡ Read now: https://lnkd.in/eVrUhXmF #digitaldivide #fiber #testing

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The U.S. Federal Communications Commission raised the standard for high-speed fixed broadband to 100/20 Mbps, in response to a report that broadband is not being deployed in a timely manner to underserved and unserved populations. The new benchmark, and an emphasis on latency, could lead to the exclusion of satellite services from federal funding programs. This #ConstellationsArticle explores the issue, and includes insight from industry experts like Katherine Gizinski, CEO of River Advisers, Patricia Cooper of Constellation Advisory, LLC and Shawn Williams, EMBA of Pacific Dataport.  https://lnkd.in/gwwRk6KX #space #satellite #satcom

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