​Senator Ted Cruz and other Republicans are seeking significant changes to the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program and its associated policies. Cruz, who will chair the Senate Commerce Committee, criticized the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for prioritizing fiber networks and enforcing requirements for low-cost internet plans, which he claims violate the law. He called for a halt to the program until the Trump administration assumes leadership, accusing the NTIA of excessive bureaucracy, “technology bias,” and ignoring congressional intent.

The BEAD program, created under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, requires Internet Service Providers (ISPs) receiving subsidies to offer low-cost broadband options. NTIA guidance encourages states to set a $30 monthly rate for eligible subscribers, sparking GOP allegations of unauthorized rate regulation. NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson defended the guidance as consistent with the law, which mandates affordable service options but does not regulate rates.

Republicans, emboldened by electoral gains, aim to amend the law to remove affordability mandates and streamline funding distribution. Cruz also criticized the NTIA’s Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program for allegedly unconstitutional race-based criteria, despite Congress defining racial and ethnic minorities as covered populations. Advocacy groups like the Benton Institute counter that the NTIA is following congressional directives to address inequities.

With Republicans gaining control of Congress, BEAD program changes and broader broadband policy shifts appear likely, potentially delaying efforts to expand high-speed internet access nationwide.

The Boulder City Council has unanimously approved a 20-year lease agreement allowing ALLO Communications LLC (a CBAN provider member) to use the city’s fiber backbone to provide citywide broadband service. ALLO, a telecom company with over 1.2 million customers, plans to cover 80% of Boulder by 2028 and 97% by 2030. The deal is expected to generate $9 million in revenue for Boulder, including an upfront payment of $1.5 million, ongoing fees, and a share of wholesale lease revenue.

The agreement emphasizes equitable access, offering discounted services for low-income households, free services for nonprofits, and upgraded services for students. ALLO will also maintain a public transit-accessible store in Boulder. However, the broadband service will not extend to unincorporated areas of Boulder County unless annexed into the city.

The decision follows years of planning, starting in 2018 when Boulder committed to affordable broadband and constructed a $20 million fiber backbone. After exploring three operational models, city staff recommended leasing the network to a private company as the quickest and most cost-effective approach. ALLO was chosen for its commitment to net neutrality, inclusive service, and citywide coverage.

While council members largely praised the agreement, some expressed regret that Boulder could not provide municipal broadband. Mayor Pro Tem Nicole Speer acknowledged concerns about involving a for-profit entity but commended staff for balancing community needs. Councilmember Matt Benjamin called the deal a significant achievement, and Councilmember Lauren Folkerts highlighted the faster timeline it enables. Construction and service rollout could begin as early as next year.

As expected Jessica Rosenworcel, the first woman to serve as the permanent chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), announced she will step down when Donald Trump assumes the presidency. Rosenworcel joined the FCC in 2012 and made significant contributions during her tenure, including initiatives to expand internet access for students, crack down on Chinese telecom equipment, and launch a broadband subsidy program for millions of households. She also led the creation of the FCC Space Bureau to manage policies related to space-based communications and worked to restore net neutrality rules overturned during Trump’s previous administration.

Rosenworcel’s decision aligns with the FCC’s tradition of leadership transitions when a new president takes office. Her departure leaves the commission evenly split between Democratic and Republican appointees, which could shift as new appointments are made. Her legacy reflects a focus on equity in broadband access, technological innovation, and regulatory integrity.

CBAN has been busy creating great content for our members and Broadband Bytes subscribers over the past several weeks. We've produced and released three new episodes of our Broadband Action podcast, and we invite to listen or watch by clicking the graphics below. And please do us a HUGE favor - click LIKE and SUBSCRIBE. That helps build our podcasts' reach and grow our community!

The links on the graphics take you to the audio version on Spotlify. However, just search "Broadband Action" on you favorite podcast player, or visit the CBAN YouTube page to watch the audio/video version of each!

​The Los Alamos County Council is set to vote on two pivotal agreements for the Community Broadband Network (CBN) during its meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 6 p.m. The meeting, held in-person and via Zoom, marks a significant step in a two-year initiative led by Broadband Manager Jerry Smith to establish broadband as an essential service, providing reliable, high-speed internet at competitive prices countywide.

The first agreement, with Bonfire Fiber LLC, is a Broadband Network Design/Build Agreement, outlines plans to construct a County-owned, open-access fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network. This fiber network aims to deliver scalable, high-speed internet directly to homes and businesses. The second agreement, the Broadband Operations Agreement, details how the network will be managed by an external vendor. This vendor will not offer internet services directly but will oversee the network and facilitate partnerships with multiple Internet Service Providers (ISPs), giving subscribers flexibility in choosing their provider. The operations agreement is also with Bonfire Fiber.

The project has a budget cap of $35 million and aligns with the Council’s strategic priorities. During the meeting, officials will present the project’s timeline, subscriber cost estimates, and key milestones. If approved, the agreements will enhance broadband infrastructure, fostering better connectivity for the community.

Read more about the project on the Los Alamos Daily Post.

​The Jamestown Board of Public Utilities (BPU) has been awarded a nearly $30 million grant through New York State’s ConnectAll program to develop an open-access fiber-optic broadband network. This project, supported by Governor Kathy Hochul and Senator Charles Schumer, aims to expand high-speed internet across Jamestown and surrounding areas, enhancing access and competition among providers. 

The BPU, alongside EntryPoint Networks and Quanta Telecom Solutions, will build the infrastructure to serve its electric service territory, covering urban, suburban, and rural regions. As the network owner, the BPU will handle operational support, while EntryPoint will supply technical architecture and open-access systems. Quanta will manage construction and materials logistics. 

The initiative promises affordable and reliable internet, with rates of $50.20 per month for 300 Mbps and $65.20 for 2 Gbps. Construction begins upon contract finalization, with completion expected by 2026. This project also supports broader goals like economic development, public safety, education, and healthcare improvements.

BPU General Manager David Leathers emphasized the community benefits, citing increased consumer choice and reduced costs. Outreach efforts will engage schools and the broader public to ensure widespread awareness and participation in the program.

CLICK HERE to read the article from the Post-Journal

​Broadband consumption saw a significant milestone in Q3 2024, as upstream traffic grew at twice the rate of downstream traffic, according to OpenVault’s Broadband Insights (OVBI) report. Upstream traffic increased by 13.9% year-over-year, while downstream grew by only 6.8%, marking the lowest downstream growth since OpenVault began tracking it in 2017. Overall traffic rose 7.2%, reflecting a consistent shift toward user-generated content and evolving subscriber behavior.

A notable factor in upstream growth is the increasing activity of "extreme power users," those consuming 5 TB or more monthly. These users averaged nearly 1 TB of upstream data, with their overall usage growing 57% year-over-year. This trend is critical for cable operators, as traditional cable networks prioritize downstream traffic, making them less equipped to handle rising bidirectional demands.

The report emphasized the need for cable providers to address upstream constraints within the DOCSIS environment to maintain a high-quality user experience. As upstream traffic grows at more than twice the rate of downstream usage, network adaptability and continuous monitoring are essential.

Other insights from the OVBI report include disparities in data consumption across household income levels and sizes. Households earning under $50,000 annually exhibited the highest average monthly data usage (639 GB), despite having slower internet speeds. Data consumption ranged from 397 GB for single-person households to 1.125 TB for four-person households. Notably, urban and rural markets showed consistent speeds and usage, reflecting the impact of rural network upgrades.

Telecompetitor has a great article about the Open Vault report. CLICK HERE to check it out.

The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas have completed a $4.66 billion fiber broadband expansion, bringing high-speed internet to over one million residents. The initiative involved installing 40,000 miles of fiber through 17 cooperative broadband providers, including local and wholesale providers. An additional $2.2 billion investment is planned to connect 13,000 more residents, expanding the network to 53,000 miles and 1.2 million residents.

Drawing on their history of rural electrification, the cooperatives focused on underserved rural areas often overlooked by major telecom companies. Nearly 80% of the funding came from the cooperatives themselves, demonstrating their commitment to bridging the digital divide. CEO Vernon “Buddy” Hasten emphasized the democratic nature of co-ops, where members demanded broadband and co-ops found viable ways to deliver it.

The expansion was facilitated by Arkansas’s repeal of restrictive broadband laws in 2021, clearing the way for community-run networks. The cooperatives also leveraged federal funds, like ARPA grants, to deploy cutting-edge 2.5 Gbps services. 

Looking ahead, Arkansas cooperatives aim to continue their role in affordable broadband expansion, supported by over $1 billion in federal infrastructure grants. Hasten likened the impact of broadband to rural electrification, highlighting its role in enhancing rural life and economic opportunities.

CLICK HERE to read more about the great work being done by the coops at the Community Networks website, presented by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance