Vol 5 | Issue 2 | February 2020
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Policy Corner
I am honored for the opportunity to lead NTIA. We are home to an impressive group of public servants, and I’m proud of the work the team is doing to expand 5G, increase broadband access, secure our communications networks, and advise domestically and internationally on Internet policy priorities. It has been an exciting start to 2020 here at NTIA. Our agency just released a report finding viable options for more mid-band spectrum sharing. Our spectrum management advisory committee CSMAC met this month as well to continue important conversations about our nation’s technological future. It was also announced that the 3.5 GHz CBRS band spectrum was authorized for full commercial deployment. NTIA engineers helped pave the way for spectrum sharing in that band. We have much more in store for the year to come, and I look forward to keeping you updated on our progress.
-- Doug Kinkoph
Associate Administrator performing the delegated duties
of the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information
Webinar Highlights Integral Role of Smart Buildings in City Planning
Communities and regions are increasingly adopting smart technology and the Internet of Things (IoT) to better manage infrastructure and improve the quality of life for residents. The BroadbandUSA January 15, 2020 webinar, The Benefits of Smart Building Technology, focused on smart buildings use cases, the underlying technology that supports them, and the benefits achieved. Limor Schafman, Senior Director of the Smart Building Program at the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) discussed her work with the Global City Teams Challenge, which works to share knowledge and best practices on smart community technologies. Jiri Skopek, Board of Governors Vice-Chair for 2030 Districts Network, said that addressing stakeholder needs is a key driver in the adoption of smart buildings. Benny Lee, Director of San Mateo County Public Wi-Fi, discussed the evolution of instant communications and how it fits in with smart buildings. Read the complete blog here.
Broadband News and Updates
Federal News
Native Hawaiian, Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants Now Available
Demand for Broadband in Rural Areas: Implications for Universal Access(PDF)
U.S. Census Bureau Hosts Webinar on Release of 2014-2018 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
State News
Arizona:Governor Ducey Announces Major New Investments In Rural Broadband
Georgia:Georgia DOT Tests New Striping to Enable Driverless Cars
Kentucky:They Were Promised Broadband and High-Tech Jobs. They’re Still Waiting
Maine:Health Care, Corrections, Broadband at Top of State Legislative Agenda
Massachusetts:Massachusetts Pursues Its Own Route to Broadband Expansion
Mississippi:Mississippi could get piece of $20B rural broadband fund
Missouri:Missouri Farm Bureau Wants State’s Newly-Created Broadband Program To Be Permanent
Nebraska:FCC To Invest $20B In Rural Broadband; Senator Wants Nebraska To Be First In Line
New York:N.Y. Gov. Cuomo Vetoes Municipal Broadband Bill, Favoring State Initiative
New York:Senators:FCC To Deny New York Broadband Funding
North Carolina:State Broadband Office Works To Close Digital Divide
Oklahoma:Rural Oklahoma Communities Could Be Eligible For High-Speed Broadband
Pennsylvania:Could A State Cell Phone Tax Power PA.’S Rural Broadband Expansion?
Rhode Island:Rep. Ruggiero Introduces Legislation To Expand Broadband Access
Texas:Governor Abbott Appoints Fifteen To Governor’s Broadband Development Council
Texas:How a Texas Town Built its Own High-Speed Internet Network
Vermont:Dozens Of Towns To Hold Town Meeting Votes On Forming Broadband Districts
Vermont:Electric Utilities Have A Role To Play In Vermont's Broadband Expansion
Wyoming: Wyoming Business Council Hires Broadband Mgr., Formerly With Dubois Telephone
California, Texas Slated To Benefit Most From New FCC Broadband Fund
Report Finds Variations in Broadband Deployment Growth by State
States Will Be The Battlegrounds For 2020 Tech Policy Fights
Public Safety/FirstNet
Public TV Stations Push FCC to Mandate FirstNet Datacasting Interoperability
Public-Safety Features Officially Part of Next 3GPP Standard Release
Firstnet Deployables Are Unique Offering for Emergency Managers
City of Annapolis Comes Together to Provide Reliable Communications to Public Safety Agencies
GAO Report Says FirstNet on Track, Calls For Greater Oversight, Transparency
Broadband Funding
Digital Inclusion
Why Internet Stops Once School Ends For Many Rural California Students
New York City Unveils 'Internet Master Plan' For Universal Broadband Access
General News
Accurate Data Essential To Improving Broadband Access In Rural Areas
2020 Trend: Gig City's Second Decade Will Deliver More Speed, Innovation
NTIA Events
Feb. 19, 2020
BroadbandUSA Practical Broadband Conversations Webinar Series
Topic: The Role of States in Expanding Broadband Access
Time: 2:00 PM Eastern
The majority of states across the country are increasing resources devoted to broadband deployment, supporting digital inclusion initiatives, and focusing their attention on broadband policy coordination across different state agencies. While there is no one size fits all, states are implementing innovative approaches to increase broadband access and adoption. Join BroadbandUSA in a conversation on how broadband is being implemented at the state level in addition to research by The Pew Charitable Trusts on state broadband programs and innovative approaches to help overcome the digital divide.
Speakers:
Kathryn de Witt, Manager, Broadband Research Initiative, Pew Charitable Trusts
Deana Perry, Executive Director, Georgia Rural Broadband Program
Sunne Wright McPeak, President and CEO, California Emerging Technology Fund
Moderator: Katherine Bates, Manager of State and Local Partnerships, BroadbandUSA
Visit our Webinar Archives for past presentations, transcripts and audio recordings.
Feb. 12 – 13, 2020
State Broadband Leaders Network (SBLN) Summit, Washington, D.C. BroadbandUSA Facilitator: Katherine Bates
Feb. 19, 2020
Global Cities Team Challenge (GCTC) Smart Ag and Rural SuperCluster Workshop, Phoenix, AZ. BroadbandUSA Speaker: Jean Rice
Smart technologies are igniting rural economic development, improving health care and education, and improving farming and ranching production. The Global City Team Challenge (GCTC) Agriculture and Rural Broadband SuperCluster encourages collaboration on innovative agricultural technology and rural projects and released a blueprint for rural communities in July. The GCTC Agriculture and Rural SuperCluster will host this workshop with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST), and NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association (NTCA.)
Events of Interest
Feb. 9-12, 2020
2020 National Conference of Regions (NARC), Washington, DC.
Feb. 12-13, 2020
USDA ReConnect Technical Assistance Workshop, Denver, Colorado.
Feb. 16 – 19, 2020
NTCA: The Rural Broadband Association, Phoenix, AZ.
Feb. 20, 2020
Via Satellite: Virtualization: The Future of Wireless Communications, Webinar 10:00 AM EST
Feb. 29 – March 4, 2020
National Association of Counties Legislative (NACo) 2020 Legislative Conference, Washington, DC