Member Policy Call: On July 15, Chip Pickering, CEO of INCOMPAS, unveiled the AI Competition Center and members discussed the ongoing work of CoSN and SETDA to address AI’s impact on education.
Members also reviewed the upcoming hotspot lending decision and expressed concern that the Loper Bright Supreme Court decision overturning Chevron deference to federal agencies could pose a risk to the FCC’s hotspot decision.
Additionally, SHLB proposed writing a letter to the FCC on pole attachments and expressed dismay over the lack of progress on Capitol Hill regarding Universal Service reform.
Broadband Deployment Policy Call: On July 16, members discussed various state challenge processes, noting that three of the biggest states (California, Texas, and Florida) are just beginning their processes now. North Carolina has not started yet. This delay is affecting the roll-out of BEAD funding, which may not happen until 2026. The Digital Equity Act NOFO for the competitive grants is expected from NTIA any day.
Wireless Policy Call: On July 18, members discussed the FCC’s recent vote to approve the hotspot lending initiative supported by the E-rate program. They also heard from Mark Colwell, Director of Broadband Operations for Mission Telecom, who discussed the technology offerings Mission provides to nonprofits and educational institutions.
