Page 119 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

EU Institutions Back 5G FWA to Plug Fiber Gaps

Representatives from the European Commission (EC) and other “EIB supports FWA, as its economics are particularly well suited
bodies in the region highlighted the benefits of fixed wireless to that kind of sparsely populated environment and, thanks to
access (FWA) 5G deployments during an online event, with the lower concentration of traffic in those areas, FWA could be a
the technology backed to aid the region’s connectivity targets. viable VHCN solution capacity and quality-wise,” he added. Several
Speaking at a regulator-focused Forum Europe event, EC head of operators across the world have already reported success with
unit for investment in high-capacity networks Franco Accordino FWA and, although much of the discussion about the technology
highlighted FWA’s role in aiding efforts to provide gigabit internet is on it becoming an alternative to fibre in rural areas, a GSMA
speeds. “The combination of FWA with 5G technology has the Intelligence report released earlier this year highlighted its potential
potential to significantly contribute to the achievement of the in more densely populated locations.
European connectivity targets set for the end of the decade,”
Accordino told the Releasing the Potential of FWA in Europe event
“If properly designed and deployed, it can definitely support the
gigabit objectives that we have set.” During the event, FWA 5G
received support from representatives from a number of other
bodies including the European Investment Bank (EIB), ETNO,
Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) and national regulator
association BEREC. EIB director of the department for innovation
and competitiveness Felicitas Riedl described the connectivity
method as “a useful technological solution to mitigate the market
failure of insufficient investments in very high capacity networks
(VHCN) in less densely populated areas of the European Union”.

FCC Seeks Input on Increasing A-CAM Broadband Speed Requirements for

Rural Carriers

The NPRM was created in response to a proposal for an Enhanced • Align specific proposals with Congressional intent, as well as
A-CAM program filed with the FCC by a group of providers currently programs at other agencies
funded through the program known as the ACAM Coalition. The • Improve the administration of the high-cost program and better
proposal calls for providers receiving Enhanced A-CAM support safeguard the Universal Service Fund
to be required to deploy service at speeds of at least 100 Mbps Providers and provider associations issued statements generally
downstream and 20 Mbps upstream. Currently the minimum voicing support for the A-CAM NPRM. “NTCA deeply appreciates
speed that providers must deploy is 25/3 Mbps, but as a draft the FCC’s ongoing commitment to universal service, which itself
NPRM circulated by the FCC notes, that target doesn’t match well is a program that requires ongoing commitment by providers to
with the higher 100 Mbps speed target that has been established serving rural communities,” said Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA—
for the $42.5 billion BEAD rural broadband program that will be The Rural Broadband Association. “We are grateful for today’s vote,
administered by NTIA. (The A-CAM program is one portion of and we are eager to move now to the next stage of the debate
the Universal Service Fund high-cost program for rural rate of over how best to both realize and sustain universal service in rural
return carriers and the high-cost program has a combined budget America.” “WTA has supported the FCC releasing this proposal
of about $2 billion annually.) The BEAD program initially targets for public comment,” said Derrick Owens, Senior Vice President
unserved areas, defined as those lacking 25/3 Mbps service, but of Government & Industry Affairs for WTA—Advocates for Rural
if all unserved locations in a state are served or slated for service, Broadband. “We’ll continue to discuss the ideas outlined in the
funding can be used toward deployments to underserved areas, NPRM with our members and will provide feedback to the FCC. We’ll
defined as those lacking 100/20 Mbps service. As the ACAM also continue working with our industry partners to develop plans
Coalition proposal notes, that opens up the possibility that an that ensure the USF High Cost Program (HCP) provides sufficient
A-CAM carrier could use the funding to deploy service to an area at and predictable support to all HCP recipients.” “TDS Telecom is
25/3 Mbps speeds and the area could immediately be considered pleased with the unanimous vote to begin the rulemaking process
underserved. As the FCC explained in a press release, the NPRM to enhance the Alternative Connect America Cost Model (ACAM)
also seeks input on how the FCC could: program,” said Andrew Petersen, senior vice president of Corporate
• Use the new Broadband DATA Act maps to determine any new Affairs for the company. “An extended ACAM program will certainly
deployment obligations bridge the digital divide by bringing future-proof internet speeds to
• Calculate support for an Enhanced A-CAM program, including rural areas. This vote is an important step forward to help deliver
whether the existing A-CAM framework continues to be reliable and affordable broadband to rural families and businesses
appropriate across America.”
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