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Message from Dave Koren, Executive Director,
OCTA – Ohio's Broadband and Cable Association
Welcome to June's edition of The OCTA Connection, the monthly newsletter from OCTA – Ohio's Broadband and Cable Association.
We are happy to bring the latest in broadband news to your inbox each month and hope that you find this newsletter informative and insightful. Read on to see updates from OCTA members, important industry news and announcements from our national partner, NCTA.
Be sure to follow OCTA on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn. And you can also visit our website at www.octa.org.
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BroadbandOhio: Authority Moves Ahead With Next Broadband Grants
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An administrative panel on Thursday took its next step as it vets 81 applications from internet providers seeking a combined $748 million in broadband expansion awards.
But with only $87 million up for grabs – largely through the U.S. Treasury's Capital Projects Fund by way of the American Rescue Plan – the Broadband Expansion Authority has some culling to do in advance of the expected issuance of final awards in July.
The latest action on Round 2 awards comes slightly behind schedule after the authority previously adopted an anticipated timeline that would have led to awards being granted in May.
Proposals received identified 173,000 addresses that purportedly lack high-speed broadband, but 22 providers submitted 157 challenges contesting whether 33,000 of those addresses require any buildout. Read More Here
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BroadbandOhio BEAD Process | |
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The BEAD challenge portal is currently published on the BroadbandOhio website and contains the Ohio broadband map. Eligible participants may register to receive access to the challenge portal.
Starting May 28th, 2024, the challenge process will proceed through the following three phases, and each phase will be executed through the portal:
- Challenge phase: Eligible challengers submit challenges and supporting evidence. Ohio’s Challenge Phase will run from May 28 to June 17, lasting for 21 days.
- Rebuttal phase: Service providers rebut the challenge with supporting evidence. Ohio’s Rebuttal Phase will run from July 1 to July 22, lasting for 21 days
Please see the challenge guidebook for details on allowed challenge types and required supporting evidence.
All challenges and rebuttals will be published on BroadbandOhio's website before the final determination phase begins.
- Final Determination phase: BroadbandOhio determines which challenges will be sustained or rejected. Ohio’s Final Determination Phase will run from July 23 to August 21, lasting for 30 days.
Find More Here
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NTIA: The 2023 Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives Annual Report
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The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) recently released a new report highlighting federal investments in high-speed Internet programs.
The report, entitled “The 2023 Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives (OMBI) Annual Report,” was developed in accordance with the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which requires NTIA to submit an annual report to Congress about the activities of NTIA’s Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives.
This year’s report highlights how NTIA is directly addressing the lack of high-speed Internet access, connectivity, adoption, and digital equity at our nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). See Report
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NTIA: NTIA, FCC, Navy Work to Expand Innovative 3.5 GHz Spectrum Sharing Framework | |
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The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the Department of the Navy (DON) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have successfully collaborated to expand the unencumbered service area of a critical swath of shared mid-band spectrum.
Modifications to the aggregate interference model used in the 3.5 GHz band would allow the Citizens Broadband Radio Service, or CBRS, to provide uninterrupted access to mid-band spectrum that supports wireless Internet and other services to approximately 72 million more people. After careful coordination with the DON and the FCC, NTIA formally submitted a request to change the aggregate interference model in a letter to the FCC on Tuesday. The FCC today issued a Public Notice to endorse the changes and to invite Spectrum Access System administrators to submit demonstrations of their ability to implement the modified protection criteria. Read More
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FCC: FCC to Vote on Wi-Fi Hotspot Support Through E-Rate
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Millions of students, school staff, and library patrons around the country are on the wrong side of the digital and educational divide and, as a result, lack the same access to educational resources as their peers. To ensure these individuals are not falling behind, Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel today shared a proposal that, if adopted, would make the off-premises use of Wi-Fi hotspots and wireless internet services eligible for E-Rate funding. “It should be the standard practice that students or anyone who can’t afford internet at home can check out a Wi-Fi hotspot from their local library,” said Chairwoman Rosenworcel. “This update is how we’ll help close the Homework Gap and support folks on the wrong side of the digital divide so they can fully participate in modern civic and commercial life.” Read More | | |
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Light Reading: Cable Ops Are Lab-testing 'Enhanced' DOCSIS 3.1, CommScope Says | |
DOCSIS 4.0 is the future of the hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) network. But there's more proof that DOCSIS 3.1 still has a long life ahead of it.
Cable operators are starting to conduct lab tests of an upgraded, downstream-boosting form of DOCSIS 3.1 powered by a new release of software that CommScope has developed for the E6000, the company's chassis-based cable modem termination system (CMTS). Read More
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Broadband Breakfast: The United States of BEAD
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As the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program for broadband infrastructure rolls out, we're finding that state-by-state differences matter.
Even with hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars, some states are scrapped for funds to implement the signature broadband infrastructure program – BEAD – of the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
On the other hand, there are specific states that are expecting to get so much money from BEAD that they've created a specific name to cover activities separate from building infrastructure: "nondeployment" funds. Read More
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Broadband Breakfast: Gateway Fiber Receives Capital for New Markets
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Fiber provider Gateway Fiber announced Friday that it closed a senior secured debt facility which will provide additional funding to continue expanding its growing network.
According to the press release, Gateway Fiber raised $175.5 million in debt financing. Chris Surdo, president of Gateway Fiber, said that the company is “excited about this new partnership,” adding that it will enable the company to “accelerate its growth plans across multiple markets.” Read More
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"Every Last Mile: The Untold Story of Connecting Rural America" | |
NCTA and the Washington Post Live are partnering for a special screening of the new documentary, “Every Last Mile.” The film chronicles the untold story of connecting rural America, following three broadband construction crews as they overcome obstacles to tackle the monumental challenge of ensuring every American, regardless of where they live, has access to digital infrastructure and the opportunities it brings.
The screening will be followed by a roundtable discussion with Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.), Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Administrator Andrew Berke, and Virginia’s broadband office director Tamarah Holmes. Watch Here
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New NTIA Data Shows More Internet Users Than Ever Before | |
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As America continues to tackle the ambitious task to connect every corner of the country to the internet, the nation’s broadband leaders continue to be hard at work, extending their networks and upgrading speeds in communities of all sizes across the country. While the first few states have had their BEAD plans approved by NTIA, those projects are still a year or so away, as federal funds aren’t expected to be sent to projects until 2025.
However, the ongoing hard work to bring next-generation networks to far-out communities moves forward, with new data from NTIA showing positive results for broadband use, adoption, and access over the past few years. Read More
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Celebrating Pride Month: How the Cable Industry is Supporting LGBTQ+ Communities | |
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As Pride Month unfolds, the conversation around LGBTQ+ equality and representation takes center stage. From vibrant Pride parades to insightful discussions and employee-led activities, the cable industry continues to embrace diversity and inclusion in meaningful ways.
Learn about some of the initiatives NCTA members have instituted to recognize the importance of the month. Read More
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Broadband Stats: World Wi-Fi Day
| World Wi-Fi Day, a time to champion all the ways this unseen technology benefits all corners of the country. In the decades since Wi-Fi became widely used, the technology has become a fundamental pillar of connectivity in daily life. In homes, workplaces, schools, and public spaces, Wi-Fi powers the American economy. Read More | |
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Industry Stats: Broadband Continues to Expand Coast to Coast
| As America works to connect every community to robust broadband—including the upcoming distribution of more than $40 billion in federal funds for building new networks—cable providers continue to do what they have always done: build superfast networks to reach as many Americans as possible. Read More | |
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Follow us on social media! @OhioCable | |
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In 1966 a group of cable pioneers banded together, forming a new association to represent them before the Ohio General Assembly. For more than five decades, OCTA - Ohio's Broadband & Cable Association has built a strong record of success in the legislative and regulatory arenas.
Today, our members look to the OCTA with confidence in its ability to represent the industry before the Ohio legislature, PUCO, Congress, and the Courts.
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