Building a broadband network requires a considerable amount of planning and analysis. To be successful, a broadband network must be able to meet customers’ demands both today and into the future. Long-term capital investments such as this can therefore be risky ventures for the broadband provider and their funding partners. That is why grant and … Read more
All Internet Service Providers (ISPs) were required to complete the Broadband Data Collection (BDC) by September 1, 2022. The filing required ISPs to identify Broadband Serviceable Locations (BSLs) from the Fabric, a common dataset of all locations developed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) vendor CostQuest. The Fabric was developed utilizing multiple data sources but … Read more
Zeppelin is the latest cybersecurity threat to make headlines. What do network operators need to know – and do – now? James Taylor, Sr. IT Security Consultant, explains.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued an advisory on August 1, 2022, concerning a potential vulnerability in certain Emergency Alert System (EAS) encoder/decoder devices that have not been updated to most recent software versions. It is FEMA’s observation that unauthorized actors could issue false alerts over Internet-accessible EAS infrastructure, if the devices are not … Read more
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released the highly anticipated details for the fourth (4th) round of funding for the ReConnect Program. The ReConnect Program will provide up to $1.15B in loan and grant funding to assist with building broadband infrastructure in areas of America lacking sufficient access to broadband. This program was … Read more
The FCC released an Order on July 1, 2022, hitting the pause button on (1) the support phase-out of Lifeline voice services, and (2) the data capacity increase for mobile broadband for an additional year. Therefore, the basic lifeline benefit will remain at $5.25 for eligible voice-only service and the minimum service standard for mobile … Read more
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Declaratory Ruling and Limited Waiver regarding the requirement for a Certified Professional Engineer to certify Broadband Data Collection (BDC) Maps in DA 22-733. In January 2021, the FCC released the Third Report and Order providing that in addition to the corporate officer certification, each mobile and fixed service … Read more
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced the BDC Production Fabric (Fabric) is available in DA 22-668. Service providers are encouraged to access their fabric and start the Broadband Data Collection (BDC) filing early. Accessing the Fabric will be different depending on your activity with the preliminary Fabric data. Download the full memo for additional information. … Read more
Affordable Connectivity Program Rules are in Effect. The ACP has significant service provider and subscriber requirements. To participate, service providers must have an accepted USAC election and subscribers must have an approved application. Approved ACP providers and subscribers must follow all program rules. Download the checklist for reminders regarding ACP Service Provider Compliance Activities and … Read more
As a follow up to the VPS April 20, 2022 Memo, the FCC has the initial production version of the Serviceable Location Fabric available and each FCC Form 477 Certifying Officer (as identified on the June 30, 2021 477 filing) should have received an email from nbfsupport@costquest.com or support@costquest.zendesk.com with instructions on how to register … Read more
Public Notice released April 14, 2022. Vantage Point released a Memo on March 15, 2022, providing information on the new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Broadband Data Collection (BDC) that will be due semi-annually September 1 and March 1. All facilities-based providers of fixed and mobile broadband internet access service must submit their first BDC filing … Read more
Effective April 4, 2022, the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number is no longer being used to identify entities registered in the U.S. General Services Administration’s (GSA) System for Award Management (SAM). Instead, entities will be assigned a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) that is generated directly in SAM.gov. All Federal Communications Commission (FCC) programs that … Read more
All broadband providers must file by May 5, 2022. The Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 established the requirement for providers of Advanced Communications Services to report and certify annually information regarding purchasing, renting or leasing any equipment from the FCC’s covered list of equipment or services that are deemed to pose a … Read more
Data Specifications for Biannual Submission. On March 4, 2022, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a guide for the Data Specifications for the Biannual Submission of Subscription, Availability, and Supporting Data for the Broadband Data Collection (BDC) Filing. All facilities-based providers of fixed and mobile broadband internet access service must submit a biannual Broadband Data … Read more
Note from Tammie Herrlein, Vantage Point’s ACP Leader: There is a new field being required for service providers in NLAD. For all historical clients, service providers will be required to manually update each subscriber by using the batch template or by editing each subscriber individually. Download the notice for additional detail. ACP NLAD System Update … Read more
Unassigned 2.5GHz Spectrum On March 21, 2022, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released an updated Public Notice, FCC 22-24, in which the FCC announced the procedures, deadlines, minimum opening bid amounts and the adopted inventory for the upcoming unassigned 2.5GHz spectrum auction, Auction 108, which is scheduled to begin on July 29, 2022. Important Dates … Read more
Including date for inaugural Broadband Data Collection Filing. On February 22, 2022, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Public Notice announcing the inaugural Broadband Data Collection (BDC) Filing dates for the long-awaited Digital Opportunity Data Collection that the FCC will use to establish a nationwide broadband map. All fixed and mobile broadband providers of … Read more
Extended Relief for Performance Testing Granted On January 3, 2022, the FCC released an Order granting extended relief to carriers subject to the FCC’s performance testing requirements. The relief applies to all carriers, both those in testing and pre-testing environments, and allows for them to test to 70% of their required USAC selected random locations … Read more
FCC Provides Guidance Regarding Transition to the Affordable Connectivity Program. On December 8, 2021, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued Order DA 21-1524 regarding the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) transition to the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The Order waived some provisions in sections of the Consolidated Appropriations Act rules regarding the EBB and further clarified … Read more
FCC Transitioning EBB Program to Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) The Infrastructure and Jobs Act (Infrastructure Act), signed by President Biden on November 15, 2021, established the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP’s funding of $14.2 Billion will modify and extend the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB) effective December 31, 2021. This funding will help struggling … Read more
