CPUC Last-Mile Proposal Spurs Muni Broadband Debate

between December and March on rules for the last-mile program required in a broadband law (see 2110270063). "Price regulation and subsidies can and should co-exist” to make broadband affordable, said AARP: It suggested prioritizing noncommercial providers. Next Century Cities agreed muni broadband would trim prices. Let communities develop broadband networks through local or tribal governments, community-based organizations or private/public partnerships, said Rural County Representatives of California. Communications Workers of America said industry providers are better equipped to build broadband networks. Meanwhile, telecom and cable companies bristled at CPUC staff-proposed rules straying from California Advanced Service Fund (CASF) infrastructure program rules. If the CPUC wants to meet federal deadlines for distributing federal money, rules should closely track CASF, commented Frontier Communications. The California Cable and Telecommunications Association raised concerns that the staff plan is “markedly different” from CASF rules and shows bias toward overbuilding. Focus on serving the worst first with a “fair and transparent” objection process that isn’t “muddled by unnecessary and irrelevant requirements like infrastructure photographs” and that protects confidential data submitted by companies to object to projects in their areas, said CCTA. Rules that are more onerous than the older CASF program could discourage participation, said Comcast. The Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California cautioned that staff-proposed application and compliance rules may be too burdensome for tribes and smaller organizations. Encourage such applicants by reimbursing winners’ grant development costs, CENIC said.