With a broad boost from U.S. Reps. Anna G. Eshoo and Jackie Speier (D-Palo Alto, Hillsborough), a large coalition of Western cities and counties are waging a legal showdown with a shuttered federal government in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals over control of 5G wireless installations. Eshoo's bill, H.R. 530 -- called the Accelerating Wireless Broadband Development by Empowering Local Communities Act of 2019, "essentially resets the clock on the FCC's new rules by erasing what the federal government has implemented in the under-the-wire maneuver." Eshoo noted "5G is essential for our country's communications network and economy, but it must be deployed responsibly and equitably."
City of Loveland urges support of federal wireless broadband bill
The city of Loveland, Colorado, sent letters this month to Rep. Joe Neguse, Sen. Cory Gardner and Sen. Michael Bennett urging them to support and co-sponsor a bill to repeal federal regulations limiting the ability of local governments to regulate the deployment of 5G wireless inf...
Grant allowing for more broadband access in Harrison County
Due to a $100,000 Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Grant, or Tiger Grant, Harrison County officials, along with federal, state and local governments and carriers, are providing broadband access in Deersville and surrounding Ohio areas that didn’t have a...
Cleveland disputes AT&T’s claims that “a lack of urgency” is hindering 5G development, rebuts foot-dragging complaint
On Wednesday, Mayor Frank Jackson’s administration disputed AT&T’s contention that inaction by the city has thwarted the company’s efforts to invest millions into a 5G network in Cleveland. The city granted nearly all the permits AT&T requested for new fiber line...
White House releases update on rural broadband initiative
The White House has released the American Broadband Initiative Milestones Report, which it bills as key points on a "roadmap" for increasing rural broadband access and goosing private sector investment in broadband infrastructure, with a focus on leveraging government assets and a...
San Jose launches new fund to bring internet to thousands of off-line homes
On Tuesday, the city of San Jose created the San Jose Digital Inclusion Fund — the largest of its kind in the country. The aim of this fund is to bring broadband access to some 50,000 households over the next decade and teach residents who may be new to the web the digital skills ...
Legislature looks at ways to increase rural broadband service
Legislators are considering a surcharge on wireless calls to raise $10 million a year that utilities could use for internet projects in rural Oregon. The average cell phone user could see an increase of $4 to $8 a year. The surcharge would apply only to calls within the state and ...