A few new updates are in our continuing tracking of broadband and the state of play-around regulation.
The FCC has unanimously approved the so-called “nutrition labels” for broadband services. The plan requires disclosure of an internet plan’s price, speed, data allowances, including introductory rates and later price hikes, as well as network management practices, like throttling, at the point of sale.
The FCC has also announced $1.2 billion in funding through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund to expand broadband service across 32 states. The FCC calls this “the largest funding round to date” and notes that 23 broadband companies will provide service to more than one million new areas.
In addition, the FCC also introduced the Rural Broadband Accountability Plan, which will double the number of audits and verifications performed this year in comparison to 2021. It will also require the FCC to make the results of verifications, audits, and speed and latency tests public on the Universal Service Administration Company’s (USAC) website.
And the FCC also clarified the rules around its E-Rate program, ensuring that libraries on tribal grounds are eligible for the program’s discounts on telecommunications technologies and broadband.
With maps being key to tracking, the state of Montana is the latest to work to build their statewide broadband map, hiring Lightbox for the work. Montana ranks last in broadband access according to BroadbandNow.
Why do we care?
If you believe that opening up broadband access is like the electrical grid or the interstate highway system, this is all continued slow progress. That’s the specific, and the general trend remains increased regulation on tech.
This should continue to benefit customers and cloud adoption.