The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s funding to expand access to broadband may have a “very big” net economic impact because “the broadband is missing in areas that aren’t going to add a lot of economic value,” said Technology Policy Institute President Scott Wallsten during a Georgetown University Center for Business and Public Policy webinar Tuesday. It’s still “worthwhile” because it’s “an equity issue,” Wallsten said, and there are “still lots of areas in the country that don’t have access or have subpar access to broadband.” Wallsten said the funding “may have positive local economic effects,” such as helping small towns attract businesses and residents,” but he raised concerns about there being “too many objectives” beyond “providing the most broadband we can for the amount of money that we have.” There also hasn’t been enough focus on program evaluation, he said: “That’s kind of being ignored and I’m worried about that.” Wallsten also raised concerns about the FCC’s broadband maps and the challenge process underway for the broadband serviceable location fabric: “It’s really unclear what’s going on with the map right now.”

USDA awarded $759 million in additional ReConnect program support to 24 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and Palau Thursday, said a news release (see 2209220061). More than $400 million of the latest round of funding was for NTCA members to serve more than 73,000 people and nearly 2,000 businesses. “I couldn’t be happier to see so many of our hard-working members again receive awards to connect more rural Americans with high-speed internet,” said CEO Shirley Bloomfield.

The Fiber Broadband Association and the Wireless Infrastructure Association entered into a Collaborative Workforce Development Agreement aimed at advancing education and training, the groups said Wednesday. Both already have training programs -- WIA’s Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program and FBA’s Optical Telecom Installer Certification program. “With $42.45 billion in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment funding for broadband infrastructure, in addition to the $80 billion invested annually by the broadband industry, there has never been more demand to build broadband networks,” the groups said: “The associations will work together to promote Registered Apprenticeship, develop world-class curriculum, establish industry-recognized credentials and certifications, and articulate career pathways.”

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr backed an Office of General Counsel amicus on the National Lifeline Association's challenge of the California Public Utilities Commission's requirement that wireless providers charge no co-payment to participate in the state's Lifeline program. Carr, in a statement Friday, agreed with the brief's position that the commission "has never addressed whether states may advance universal service by requiring wireless providers to offer minimum service standard plans with a $0 copayment as a condition of receiving state subsidies through a voluntary program like California LifeLine." The brief, filed in August in case 21-15969 with the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, was written in support of neither party.

The FCC launched a new pilot Thursday to help tribal libraries enroll in the E-rate program. The pilot will target 20 tribal libraries that are "new to the program or have had challenges applying in the past," said a news release. Applications to participate in the pilot will be due Nov. 18. The FCC adopted an order amending the definition of tribal libraries in January to clarify their eligibility for the program (see 2201270030). The pilot will "provide one-on-one help to tribal libraries throughout the sign-up and benefit process," said Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel: "We want to do everything possible to make sure Tribal communities have full access to the digital age.” The commission will also host a webinar Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. EST to provide additional information about the pilot.

NTIA is encouraging states to ensure there's a "highly trained, diverse workforce that can safely do their jobs" when administering broadband, equity, access and deployment program funding. A workforce planning guide released Wednesday (see 2207120070) includes strategies for states to develop a workforce readiness plan and considerations for contracting and subcontracting. It also includes strategies and resources for states when doing outreach to build a diverse workforce. “These good jobs are the foundation of an equitable economy that lifts up workers and families and makes businesses more competitive globally," said Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, noting women are "underrepresented" in telecom jobs.

Frontier invested $800 million to expand its fiber network in Connecticut, the company announced Tuesday. It's "one of the largest private infrastructure buildouts in the state's history," said a news release. The company plans to reach more than 800,000 locations throughout Connecticut by the end of 2025.

Noting the continued threat of natural disasters such as hurricanes in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Viya CEO Geraldine Pitt told aides to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioner Brendan Carr that incumbent carriers don't have the financial wherewithal to invest in network resiliency during the phase-down in their frozen support without other support. In a docket 18-143 filing Tuesday, Viya said persistent supply chain problems have made the challenge of maintaining and hardening its Virgin Islands network more difficult. Pitt pushed for approval of the Further NPRM on the FCC's October agenda that would give two more years of life to agency support for wireless carriers in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands rebuilding after the 2017 hurricanes (see 2210060062). Viya also urged an end-of-2027 extension of support instead of end-of-2025 and that NPRM ask questions about the Wireline Bureau having authority to extend the transition period even more.

The Rural Utilities Service's final rules for the ReConnect program were confirmed as of April 27, 2021, said a notice for Wednesday's Federal Register. The agency declined to change its rules in response to comments suggesting it increase the standard of sufficient broadband access (see 2102260044).

NTIA awarded Ohio nearly $6.5 million in funding through the broadband, equity, access and deployment (BEAD) program and Digital Equity Act, said a news release Thursday. “Closing the digital divide is necessary to help all Ohioans access affordable, reliable high-speed internet for their jobs, school, healthcare and so much more,” said Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. Ohio is the second state to receive it BEAD planning grant (see 2208310061).