States might want to avoid using fiber fans’ models to set extremely high cost thresholds (EHCT) for NTIA’s broadband, equity, access and deployment program, the Wireless Infrastructure Association said Wednesday. The BEAD notice of funding opportunity directed states to deploy fiber except in the highest cost areas. States must set up an EHCT to determine where alternative technologies like wireless may be used. The Fiber Broadband Association and Cartesian released a modeling tool last week to help states calculate EHCTs (see 2308210041). “Though perhaps economically sound in theory, using these models at this early stage risks feeding into the mistaken approach that a state should be setting an exact EHCT at this stage of the process -- or at all,” WIA Chief Strategy Officer Mike Saperstein blogged. “Producing cost models that would pre-determine an EHCT may unnecessarily limit participation and add in substantial programmatic risk, before the application period even opens.” Saperstein praised Louisiana specifically for not establishing an ECHT upfront.
Pennsylvania state senators confirmed nominee Kimberly Barrow to the Public Utility Commission. The Senate voted 47-0 Wednesday after the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee unanimously cleared Barrow earlier that day at a livestreamed meeting. Barrow has been chief of staff for Pennsylvania PUC Chairman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille since 2013 and worked at the PUC for 22 years total. Dutrieuille’s term expired April 1, but Pennsylvania commissioners may continue an additional six months or until a replacement is confirmed. When Dutrieuille exits, Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) will choose which commissioner will be chair. "My focus really will be on consumers,” with affordability and reliability as top issues, Barrow told the Senate committee. Shapiro’s nominee said she seeks to find “balance” between consumers and utilities. Saying he looked forward to balanced decisions, Committee Chair Patrick Stefano (R) asked Barrow how she would handle possibly being a deciding vote on a commission with two Democrats and two Republicans. Most PUC decisions are 5-0, and that’s worth continuing, replied Barrow. Barrow will fill Dutrieuille’s “big shoes,” said Minority Chair Lisa Boscola, a Democrat: "It will be great to work with a full commission." Dutrieuille testified that Barrow “will make an excellent commissioner.”
Vermont sent NTIA its five-year action plan for the broadband, equity, access and deployment program, the Vermont Community Broadband Board said Wednesday. Vermont’s plan is a big step toward unlocking the state’s $229 million allocation, said VCBB Executive Director Christine Hallquist. “We’re going to ensure that all Vermonters can get the most out of these critical investments.”
Minnesota’s broadband office is seeking comments on its digital equity draft plan for reducing gaps in broadband access and digital skills and technology ownership, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) said Tuesday. Comments are due Sept. 29 on the draft plan, which outlines how the state will use NTIA funding. The broadband office will submit the final plan to NTIA by Nov. 30, said DEED. “The three goals highlighted in this plan -- connect people to people, connect people to information, and connect people to resources -- are ultimately limited, nodding to the moments where connections happen rather than the real systemic work it takes to sustain connections,” said the draft. “It will take people working together across the state with this shared vision.”
The California Privacy Protection Agency will meet Sept. 8 to discuss future regulations, the agency said Tuesday. The board plans to talk about draft rules on cybersecurity audits and risk assessments. Afterward, in a closed session, board members plan to discuss litigation currently stopping the agency from enforcing the California Privacy Rights Act (see 2307030025), said an agenda. The meeting starts at 9 a.m. PDT. While not part of formal rulemaking, the drafts show the California agency’s “intent to create extensive obligations for businesses subject to these regulations,” Husch Blackwell privacy attorney David Stauss blogged.
Google Fiber will expand to a third Colorado city, it said Tuesday. The Wheat Ridge City Council unanimously passed an agreement Monday to let in the company, joining Colorado cities Lakewood and Westminster, blogged Google Fiber General Manager-Southwest Sasha Petrovic. Google Fiber said it plans to start construction and begin serving customers next year.
The California Public Utilities Commission should deny Verizon’s July 27 petition to modify the CPUC’s 2021 conditional approval of the carrier’s Tracfone buy, consumer groups urged Monday. Facing challenges to migrate Tracfone customers still using non-Verizon networks, the carrier asked the CPUC to remove a Nov. 22 deadline and eliminate penalties (see 2307280060). Verizon separately sought a stay of the deadline (see 2308140047). The Utility Reform Network (TURN) and Center for Accessible Technology (CforAT) responded in docket A.20-11-001 that the carrier’s modification request is “untimely, unjustified, and against the public interest.” The carrier was “on notice that any failure to complete the migration of TracFone customers to Verizon’s network will result in fines,” TURN and CforAT said. “If Verizon cannot meet the deadline set in Ordering Paragraph 8, there is no basis for the Commission to waive the penalties.” Customer migration was one of the CPUC’s top concerns when it reviewed the deal, the consumer groups said. “Verizon’s petition is not addressing a minor or inconsequential issue.” TURN and CforAT disputed Verizon’s argument that extending the penalty deadline benefits customers by giving them more time to decide whether to migrate networks. “If the Commission denies the petition, the consequences will not fall on the customers, but only on Verizon in the form of financial penalties.” Nothing in the FCC’s Verizon/Tracfone approval prohibited migrating customers two years from the transaction’s close as California required. “While complying with both the [CPUC’s] and the FCC’s conditions may not be ideal for Verizon … none of those conditions are in conflict.”
Union workers and Frontier Communications tentatively agreed to a four-year contract for 1,400 workers in West Virginia and Ashburn, Virginia, said Communications Workers of America. The tentative deal includes wage increases, while maintaining existing job security language and health and welfare benefits, CWA said Saturday. Also, Frontier pledged to create additional jobs, the union said. A contract ratification vote will occur in coming weeks, CWA said. “We started this round of bargaining with one of the best contracts in the telecommunications industry,” said CWA District 2-13 Vice President Mike Davis. He said the union’s side “did an excellent job in the face of intense pressure from the company for concessions on post-Medicare retiree benefits.” Frontier didn’t comment.
On average, 85% of the drones state agencies purchased from 2010 to 2022 were made in China, and the typical state devoted 76% of its drone spending to Chinese drones, said a report Thursday by the Foundation for American Innovation. “From 2010 to 2022, states spent at least $5.3 million on Chinese drones, and at least $8.1 million on drones overall” and 66% of spending was on Chinese drones, the report said: “Thirty-two states devoted at least half their drone spending to Chinese drones. In 38 states, the majority of drones used by state agencies are Chinese.” Concerns over Chinese drones surfaced on Capitol Hill (see 2303160048) and at the FCC (see 2110190051). Commissioner Brendan Carr warned that China-based DJI has more than half the U.S. drone market. DJI disputes that it's a threat to U.S. security (see 2205120027). With the DOD, “members of Congress, and the Biden administration all expressing concerns about the use of Chinese drones, there is growing political will to reduce dependence on Chinese drones and improve U.S. cybersecurity,” the foundation said.
A Wisconsin task force will weigh AI’s impact on the workforce, Gov. Tony Evers (D) said Wednesday. Evers signed an executive order directing the new group to make predictions and recommendations, the governor's office said. “Establishing this task force will be critical in understanding, adapting to, and capitalizing on the transformations AI will bring, ensuring Wisconsin’s workforce and industries remain steady, stable, and robust in the face of technological advancement,” said Evers. Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Secretary Amy Pechacek or a designee will chair the governor’s task force. The governor will appoint additional members, including secretaries or designees from Wisconsin’s Department of Administration and Economic Development Corporation, plus University of Wisconsin and Wisconsin Technical College Systems representatives, said the Evers office: The task force may also include others from state and local government, businesses, academia, organized labor and the tech sector.