In our latest edition of Broadband Action, the CBAN Podcast, Hosts Jon Willow and Curtis Dean provide a sneak peak at the upcoming 2024 CBAN Fall Forum in West Des Moines, Iowa on October 10th. The event will also be streamed live for online attendees. Curtis chats with Dr. Christopher Ali, the Summit keynote, about his message to attendees.

You can enjoy Broadband Action on our YouTube channel (click the image above for a link directly to this episode) or listen on your favorite podcast platform!

To learn more about the event and to register for the 2024 CBAN Fall Forum at https://bit.ly/24fallforum

In the Fourth Report and Order, the Commission codifies the requirement to resolve challenges received as part of the BDC not later than 90 days after the date on which a final response by a provider to a challenge of the accuracy of a map is received.
 
The Commission also provides a specific delegation of authority to the Office of Economics and Analytics (OEA), in coordination with certain other bureaus and offices, to conduct audits of broadband data submitted by providers as required under the Broadband DATA Act.
 
The Commission directs the OEA to establish methodologies and procedures for selecting service providers (either fixed or mobile) and targeted locations or areas for random audits, as well as for determining “patterns of filing incorrect information” that may be sufficient to warrant audits.
 
In the Declaratory Ruling, the Commission clarifies that its rules do not preclude a service provider from subsequently submitting information in a later BDC filing to demonstrate that it can now make service available to a location or area that was previously removed through the challenge, verification or audit processes.  The Commission also delegates authority to the OEA, to develop and publish detailed data specifications setting forth the types of information a broadband provider must submit to restore a previously removed location or area as part of a subsequent BDC filing.  In addition, the Commission clarifies that broadband providers are obligated with their BDC to  submit data on service availability for Removed Locations or Areas.
 
In its Fourth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Commission seeks comment on proposed changes to the availability data filing process, as well as possible amendments and clarifications to several of the current data-validation rules.
  
The Commission proposes rule amendments which would permit filers to indicate that the service offered at a location is a grandfathered service only. 
 
In addition, the Commission seeks comment on the following items:
 

• Rules changes requiring terrestrial fixed wireless providers to submit additional information allowing the Commission to better verify terrestrial fixed wireless service availability data submitted with BDC filings;
• Proposed changes to improve the Commission’s validation, audit, and Fabric challenge processes, as well as facilitate provider certification of BDC submissions;
• Additional rules establishing a set data-retention period for certain documentation supporting providers’ BDC submissions, intended to ensure the Commission has access to documentation that may be necessary for its audits, verifications, and other reviews; 
• A proposal that broadband service providers be required to retain the underlying data used to create their biannual submissions (including subscription data and supporting data) for at least three years from the applicable “as-of” date (e.g., data used to create a biannual submission for the June 30, 2024 reporting period would need to be retained until June 30, 2027); 
• A proposed change that would eliminate the requirement in the rules that providers’ BDC filings be supported by a certification by a licensed professional engineer (if no corporate engineering officer is able to certify);

 
In addition, the Commission proposes to modify the definition of “broadband connection” used in Form 477 so that it aligns with the definition of “broadband internet access service” used in the BDC.  Specifically, the Commission proposes to require facilities-based providers of broadband Internet access service to submit in Form 477 counts of “broadband internet access service connections” in service, with that term defined as connections that provide mass-market broadband internet access as defined and described in 47 CFR § 8.1(b).  This change would put Form 477 on the same definitional footing as the BDC, as well as Broadband Labeling.
 
Please contact Dan Davis at Consortia Consulting if you have any questions.

Broadband providers in Louisiana are ready to step up to the table and chow down some gumbo.

Actually, they are ready to apply for GUMBO 2.0. "Gumbo" is an acronym that stands for Granting Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities, and it's the moniker Louisiana's broadband office – ConnectLA – has used for its grant program since 2021.

Applications opened on August 15th and the window for the first round will close on August 29th - a really tight timeline. The state has pre-qualified 33 operators to be eligble for GUMBO 2.0. Companies on the pre-qualified list incluide large companies such as AT&T, Brightspeed, Charter, and Comcast as well as Louisiana's trailblazing municipal fiber network in Lafayette, LUS Fiber.

CLICK HERE for an article at Light Reading with more about the program. 

Fort Collins Connexion, the municipal fiber utility owned by the City of Fort Collins, Colorado, recently hit a major milestone in it's continued growth and success. As reported on Community Nets, the provider has now reached it's 20,000th customer connection. Construction of the network began in 2018 and connections began in 2019. Fort Collins has been recognized nationally as one of the fastest and most reliable providers in the nation.

Last year Fort Collins was recognized as the Community Broadband Project of the Year by NATOA, the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors.

BEAD dollars are finally getting closer to deployment. NTIA gave final approval to volume two of Montana's initial proposal on August 1st. On August 14th, the state's broadband office opened up applications on its grant applicaiton portal.

Montana has nearly $629 million to spend on broadband infrastructure. The state is giving respondents 60 days to submit applications, which are due by October 15th.

For more about Montana's BEAD process, CLICK HERE to read an article at Broadband Breakfast.

America is in the midst of a once-in-a-generation investment in broadband infrastructure and digital skills-building. Grants are dropping at warp speed. Crews are being hired, digital equity activities are being planned by states. But by the close of 2026, the dollars will be allocated and the work well underway. 

Then what? How do communities use what they've built to create long-term prosperity? Join CBAN for a day of learning and active collaboration as we roll up our sleeves and get down to the business of figuring out what's next. Attendees will participate in small group roundtables throughout the day, each focused on an aspect of broadband-enabled community success. Our keynote and lunch speaker will be recorded and released; we're hoping to capture round table content as well (and open to thoughts on the best way to do that).

Seeking Facilitators!
​Do you have a roundtable idea? We're currently seeking table facilitators to lead small group conversations around specific aspects of broadband-enabled community prosperity. Drop us a line at [email protected] and let's talk.

Broadband Breakouts
Attendees will participate in several Broadband Breakouts to discuss the question:

How do we leverage broadband in our community to improve...

Topics may include

• Economic development
• Workforce development
• Telehealth
• Digital inclusion

CBAN Associate Members!
We welcome you to become a Fall Forum Sponsor or Exhibitor! Click the link below to register for a tabletop space or to sponsor. Or, you may click the attendee registration link above to attend without a display space!

Community leaders in Kendall County, Illinois, just southwest of the Chicago area, wanted better broadband for their 130,000 residents. So, they approached the companies that were already providing broadband to some of the area and asked how they could help expand and exhance their service. Zach Bachmann, chairman of the Connect Kendall County Commission, said the responses they received were "smug".

So the county decided to issue an RFP to identify a company that would work with them. They found a partner - Pivot-Tech - to make it happen. As a result, Pivot-Tech and the county have set up a non-profit organization to serve as the project company. They non-profit will use tax-free revenue bonds to finance the build, which will include both fiber and fixed wireless access.

Congratulations to Kendall County for taking ACTION to improve the lives of their residents. For more on the Kendall County story, which was featured at Mountain Connect, CLICK HERE to read the article at Fierce Network.

Through our partnership with the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA), CBAN members can receive a 50% discount on registration for the Regional Fiber Connect meeting in Des Moines, Iowa on Tuesday, September 10, 2024!

We're excited to be teaming up with FBA, a CBAN Advocate Member, to offer this discount. An email blast to members with the discount code was sent out earlier this week.

Remember, this big discount is only available to CBAN members.  So if you are reading this but you are not this is the PERFECT time to sign up! CBAN membership highlights:

CBAN also welcomes companies that offer products and services in the broadband industry to support us by becoming an Associate Member. Our modest dues help us sustain our efforts and grow our mission and reach!

If you are not sure if you are a CBAN member, or not sure which category is best, just reach out to CBAN Executive Director Curtis Dean to find out more! Drop an email to [email protected].