Member Policy Call: On Monday, 6/17, Dr. Brittany-Rae Gregory Rivers, Communications Director at Next Century Cities, presented her report, “Brick by Brick.”
The report explores how HBCUs are using funding from NTIA's Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program to enhance their campuses and the surrounding communities.
Additionally, the group celebrated successfully postponing Sen. Cruz’s “Eyes on the Board Act,” which would have restricted E-rate funding for schools unless they banned social media.
Broadband Deployment Policy Call: On Tuesday, 6/18, the Broadband Deployment group reviewed the BEAD program's progress. With several companies withdrawing from their RDOF commitments, state broadband officials are adjusting project areas to cover unserved regions.
Some states define project areas themselves, while others rely on ISPs to set boundaries. There might be two rounds of awards in some states. The definition of an affordable rate is a contentious issue; NTIA provides guidelines but no specific rate.
Additionally, the group discussed the SHLB Poles Symposium, noting that Vermont has fewer pole attachment problems due to a state-specific formula for determining pole rates.
Wireless Policy Call: On Thursday, 6/20, the Wireless group discussed developments related to CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service). They focused on how the NTIA, the Defense Department, and the FCC, in collaboration with industry stakeholders, are working on CBRS 2.0. This major enhancement aims to improve the CBRS band with greater performance, reliability, and reduced interference.
E-Rate Policy Call: Due to numerous policy developments affecting the E-Rate program, a second policy call was held this month.
On Thursday, 6/20, the E-Rate group discussed the mid-month transition of services, clarified issues surrounding the rescission of federal funding for the ECF program, and reviewed the FCC’s recently adopted Report and Order for the Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program.
