Page 123 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Commerce Department’s NTIA Releases Details for Funds Distributed Under

IIJA

The U.S. Commerce Department on Friday
morning released the rules governing three
separate federal broadband programs,
laying down the rules for more than $45
billion in spending. The agency’s National
Telecommunications and Information
Administration released the Notice of
Funds Opportunity for its Broadband Equity,
Access and Deployment program under the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, as
expected. “In the 21st century, you simply
cannot participate in the economy if you
don’t have access to reliable, affordable
high-speed internet,” Commerce Secretary
Gina Raimondo said. She was expected to
make additional remarks in Durham, North
Carolina. “Thanks to President Biden’s Friday, in advance of when IIJA required the Federal Communications Commission’s
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Americans notices. Affordable Connectivity Program. But
across the country will no longer be held • Broadband Equity, Access, and BEAD itself also include money for planning
back by a lack of high-speed internet Deployment (BEAD) Program ($42.5 grants: Under IIJA, each state is guaranteed
access. We are going to ensure every billion) to receive $100 million in BEAD funds for
American will have access to technologies • Enabling Middle Mile Broadband broadband infrastructure. Up to $5 million
that allow them to attend class, start a Infrastructure Program ($1 billion) of those awards may be drawn down
small business, visit with their doctor, • State Digital Equity Act programs ($1.5 within three months. Each state is able to
and participate in the modern economy,” billion) receive at least $100 million in funding.
according to Raimondo’s remarks from a The IIJA allocated $65 billion in funding Particular states may receive significantly
press release. The IIJA, signed into law on for broadband spending, with at least more depending upon the proportion of
November 15, 2021, required Commerce to $45 billion allocated to the NTIA through “unserved” broadband homes in their state
release the BEAD NOFO by Monday, May 16. these three programs. The $42.5 billion relative to the nation as a whole. Whether
It had been expected to release those rules for BEAD is designed to address last-mile a particular home is “unserved” or not will
Friday. Funding under the BEAD program is broadband connectivity. The $1 billion be determined by broadband maps to be
primarily directed through state broadband for middle mile spending addresses the created by the FCC.
offices, acting under the supervision of the “secondary highways” — in between data The funding is being dispensed by states to
NTIA through the legislative framework centers and individual homes — that allow sub-grantees, including private, cooperative
established by IIJA, and the regularly rules our internet to work. The additional $1.5 and municipal broadband providers, and
laid out in the BEAD NOFO. But the agency billion is for states to engage in programs the BEAD funding is designed primarily to
also released the rules for the Enabling designed to address digital equity. Most address inadequate last-mile broadband
Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure of the additional $20 billion of broadband connectivity throughout the country.
and State Digital Equity Act programs on funds under IIJA are dispensed through the

New President Orders ICE to Relinquish 5G Spectrum Within Six Months

In one of his first acts since assuming Ciencia, Tecnologia y Telecomunicaciones, (Superintendencia de Telecomunicaciones,
power earlier this month, President Rodrigo MICITT) within six months. On 25 June Sutel) informed the MICITT that it was
Chaves Robles has ordered Marco Acuna 2021 the MICITT notified Grupo ICE of unwilling to reimburse ICE for its unused
Mora, the executive president of Grupo its intention to retrieve the operator’s frequencies, prompting the state-backed
ICE, to return all of the state-owned 5G-suitable frequencies, as it seeks to company to dig its heels in. ICE has been
company’s 5G-suitable spectrum holdings further the country’s wider 5G ambitions. accused of ‘under-use and non-use’ of
to the Ministry of Science, Technology Subsequently, in November 2021 the 5G-suitable spectrum in the 1400MHz,
and Telecommunications (Ministerio de Superintendency of Telecommunications 2600MHz, 3500MHz and 26GHz bands.

123 MAY-JUNE 2022