We don't get into the techno-weeds much here at Broadband Bytes, but a recent story on the IEEE website caught our eye.

The breakthrough is possible by utilizing different bands of wavelengths that are traditionally not used in fiber data transmission. The approach allowed the researchers to achieve data transmission rates of 402 terabits per second (equivalent to 402,000 megabits per second). The old record was 301 terabits per second. All using the type of fiber optic cable that is already installed world-wide.

These types of data rates are way more than any individual user needs, but will be vital in long haul connections. So fiber isn't going to be obsolete anytime soon.

CLICK HERE to read the article on the Consumer Reports website. You may be required to have a subscription to see all the information.

The recent Supreme Court ruling in the Chevron case has profound implications for the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) ability to implement and enforce Net Neutrality regulations. The ruling centers on two key legal principles: the limitation of Chevron deference and the reinforcement of the major questions doctrine.

Chevron Deference
​Chevron deference is a legal principle that compels courts to defer to a federal agency's interpretation of ambiguous statutes that the agency administers. Traditionally, this deference allowed the FCC to interpret the scope of its regulatory authority under the Telecommunications Act broadly, including implementing Net Neutrality rules.

Major Questions Doctrine
​The major questions doctrine holds that courts should not defer to agencies on issues of vast economic and political significance unless Congress has clearly delegated such authority. This doctrine was a central point in the Supreme Court's ruling.

Impact on Net Neutrality:

• Requirement for Clear Authorization: The FCC must demonstrate that Congress explicitly authorized it to regulate internet service providers (ISPs) in the manner required for Net Neutrality. This presents a significant challenge, as existing legislation does not provide explicit authorization for such comprehensive internet regulation.
• Potential Legislative Gridlock: Given the current political climate and partisan divisions, obtaining new legislation that clearly delegates this authority to the FCC is unlikely. This leaves the FCC in a precarious position, unable to rely on existing statutes to defend its Net Neutrality rules.

Overall Impact
The Supreme Court's ruling fundamentally alters the FCC's regulatory landscape:

• Legal Vulnerability: Any new Net Neutrality rules proposed by the FCC will likely face immediate legal challenges. Opponents can argue that the FCC lacks the statutory authority to impose such regulations.
• Regulatory Uncertainty: The FCC's ability to ensure an open and fair internet is now more uncertain. Without clear congressional backing, the agency's efforts to prevent ISPs from blocking, throttling, or prioritizing traffic face significant obstacles.

Conclusion​
The Supreme Court's Chevron ruling restricts the FCC's interpretive authority and requires explicit congressional authorization for major regulatory actions. This significantly hampers the FCC's ability to implement and enforce Net Neutrality rules, posing a substantial challenge to maintaining an open and equitable internet.

We love it when CBAN members come together to make good things happen! That's the case in Clinton, Iowa where CBAN provider member Miles Communications has recently finished the first two phases of a fiber network connecting all of the City, School, and County buildings in the eastern Iowa community.

According to a news release on the City of Clinton website, Miles Communications will be extending their fiber optic network throughout the City from 2024-2028 in a 5 phased approach. The plan is to run 90 miles of underground fiber optic cable and reach areas that show a genuine want for being connected. The estimated total investment is around $30 million. The project is funded locally by Clinton National Bank, Citizens First Bank, and First Central State Bank.  ​

Just another example of how "community-first" broadband companies are solving connectivity issues across America!

ImOn Communications, a leading provider of high-speed Internet services across Iowa, will soon begin the construction phase of Marshalltown’s 100-percent fiber Internet network.

Earlier this year, ImOn announced that the company would be bringing residential and business fiber Internet services to the City of Marshalltown. Since then, ImOn’s network engineers havebeen busy working with city officials and designing the network. ImOn plans to begin the construction phase of the fiber network this summer.

The new network will be fiber-to-the-home, meaning each address will have its own individual
fiber cable connecting it to the larger network. Residents will soon see ImOn trucks and construction crews in their neighborhoods. Each resident will receive a letter in the mail and a door hanger notification before construction starts in their area.

“Our team is eager to begin work on our Marshalltown network,” said Patrice Carroll, President
and CEO of ImOn Communications. “Through our collaboration with city officials, conducting
our own market research, and talking with residents, we know there’s a desire in the community to have more choices for Internet providers. We’re excited to be that alternative and to make fiber widely available in Marshalltown for the first time.”

After construction is complete, Marshalltown homes will have access to download and upload
speeds as fast as 1 Gigabit per second (Gbps). Marshalltown businesses will have download and upload speeds up to 10 Gbps available. The first customers are expected to begin receiving service in early fall of 2024.

For more information about ImOn Communications’ expansion efforts, please visit
www.imon.net/expansion. For updates on fiber construction progress in Marshalltown, follow
ImOn on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ImOnCommunications.

About ImOn Communications:
Headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, ImOn Communications is a leading broadband provider delivering ultra-high-speed, reliable Internet, TV, and phone services to residential and business customers. ImOn’s growth over the past decade is thanks to its commitment to offering the latest in high-speed broadband technology and delivering the highest level of customer service while making an impact in the communities it serves one connection at a time.

For more information regarding ImOn Communications, visit www.ImOn.net.
Contact:
Eric Ungs,
Brand Manager
(319) 200-7824
[email protected]

By Jon Willow, CBAN Co-Founder
After almost two years of vague guidance on when and how to prepare for the upcoming state- and NTIA-initiated grants for digital equity, the floodgates appear to be opening. States are starting to roll out RFPs for their digital equity capacity grants, and now that Nevada has received its capacity grant funds and triggered the 30-day clock, the NTIA’s federal digital equity Competitive Grants will drop before the end of July. 

But the NTIA and states aren’t the only bodies with funds available to support broadband expansion and equity. The USDA has opened a $25 million Broadband Technical Assistance (BTA) grant for infrastructure to unserved rural areas. Its stated purpose is “to help local organizations, cooperatives and Tribes expand affordable, high-speed internet projects in rural communities.”

CBAN’s Curtis Dean and Jon Willow sat down this week with USDA representatives for Iowa and Missouri to learn more about the specifics. With an application deadline of August 20, 2024, time is of the essence. To help you decide where your team’s energy is best spent, here are some key takeaways from that meeting. 

• This grant is exclusively for the support of unserved areas. The definition of "unserved area" is where 50% or more of the population does not have access to 100 x 20 broadband speeds. Proof is required.
• If providing assistance in an area with both served and unserved households, assistance may only be provided to or on behalf of the unserved portion, down to the individual household level.
• Broadband infrastructure is the focus, so any applications that mention digital equity must demonstrate that it is the secondary priority.
• Indirect expenses are not funded. 
• No match is required, but funds are distributed as reimbursements.
• The grant no longer supports the formation of cooperatives. 
• Though the grant has been offered in the past, there is no permanent funding stream. This year’s grant is, for the final time, being funded with monies from the Inflation Reduction Act.

Other things to know about the USDA Technical Assistance grant
From the USDA: The BTA program provides funding to help communities and organizations receive or deliver broadband technical assistance and training that will expand high-speed internet into rural and Tribal communities. This includes providing funding for feasibility studies, network designs, hiring efforts, application development assistance and more.

Under the Technical Assistance Providers category, applicants must propose to deliver broadband technical assistance that will benefit rural communities. Up to $15 million is available. The minimum award is $100,000. The maximum is $1 million. 

Under the Technical Assistance Recipients category, applicants must be the recipients of the broadband technical assistance. Up to $10 million is available. The minimum award is $50,000. The maximum is $500,000.

Applications must be submitted electronically using Grants.gov no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 20, 2024.

The USDA’s Rural Development Agency will host upcoming information sessions for the Broadband Technical Assistance grant:

Broadband Technical Assistance (BTA) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Overview Webinar | Wednesday, July 17, 2024 1:00-2:30 p.m. ET | Registration

Broadband Technical Assistance (BTA) Ask me Anything (AMA)
Webinar | Wednesday, July 31, 2024 1:00-2:30 p.m. ET | Registration

CBAN associate member WIN Technology has acquired Digicorp effective July 1, 2024. Digitcorp, founded in 1976, is a leading IT, cybersecurity, telephony, and structured cabling provider service Wisconsin and northern Illinois.

CLICK HERE to read more about the transaction.

To read Sohn's complete message on the Benton Institute website, CLICK HERE.