FCC

The Federal Communications Commission recently blacklisted all new foreign-made drones and components due to concerns that the foreign equipment is an unacceptable risk to U.S. national security.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office released a study last week that raises questions about the accuracy of broadband availability data in the FCC’s National Broadband Map.   According to that study, the Commission “has not documented or assessed the sufficiency of its processes” for ensuring the accuracy of the map, which in turn could “jeopardize agencies’ ability to make the most efficient

According to the U.S. Census, American producers saw moderate improvement in internet access from 2017 to 2022.   Across rural America, the percentage of farm operations or operator residences with internet access increased from 75.4% i...

Nathan Simington, a Commissioner for the Federal Communications Commission, recently spoke out on the continued importance of AM radio to public safety.  He said the issue of continuing to include AM radios in electric vehicles deserves urgent attention.  ...

A bipartisan group of Senators recently introduced legislation to merge USDA broadband programs.  New Mexico Democrat Ben Ray Luján and South Dakota Republican John Thune reintroduced the Rural Internet Improvement Act.  The legislation would streamline and bolster USDA Rural Development broadband programs and ensure their funding is targeted to rural areas that need it the most.     "Our bip

The Federal Communications Commission released the National Broadband Map in November.  Emily Buckman, American Farm Bureau Federation Government Affairs Director, says the new map displays specific location-level information regarding broadband services availability, which she called a huge improvement from the census block level data that was used.  She add...

On Thursday, the USDA awarded $502 million in loans and grants to provide high-speed internet access for rural residents and businesses in 20 states.  USDA is making the investments through the third funding round of the ReConnect Program.   ...

Rural broadband deployment won’t succeed in closing the “digital divide” unless the agencies handling billions of dollars in funding coordinate better.  That’s the collective sentiment of House Ag members.  Ag Chair David Scott said “effective communication” is the key to 100% rural broadband deployment using the historic Infrastructure and Jobs Act funding.   “And this is why we established proce

Broadband, soil health, and rail service are all topics before the House Ag Committee this week as the House returns from summer recess.  Broadband and soil health practices are before the full Ag panel, while rail service is in front of a pair of House subcommittees, though broadband, part of the Farm Bill, is probably the highest-profile of the three issues.  Congres...

President Biden’s infrastructure adviser expects the FCC to make significant progress this year on critical broadband mapping to pinpoint rural areas of greatest need. Mitch Landrieu acknowledged the FCC hit roadblocks early, but is now making headway on service maps needed to best target $65 Billion Congress approved for rural broadband. ...