WTA News

WTA Submits Reply Comments on National Broadband Plan

wta — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:29:34 +0000

Today, WTA submitted reply comments to the FCC summarizing the association’s earlier comments on various portions of the National Broadband Plan under development at the agency. The comments can be found here.

WTA Submits Reply Comments in Opposition to NCTA’s Petition for Rulemaking

wta — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:55:16 +0000

WTA’s Reply Comments

RUS and NTIA Release BIP/BTOP Round II NOFAs

wta — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:46:57 +0000

On Friday, January 15th, RUS and NTIA released two Notices of Funds Availability (NOFAs) providing details of the conditions on applying for grants and loans in Round II of the RUS Broadband Infrastructure Program (BIP) and BTOP Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP).

The agencies plan to accept applications from February 16th to March 15th and announce all awards by September 30th.

RUS’s NOFA allocates approximately $2.2 billion in this funding round for broadband infrastructure projects. NTIA’s NOFA allocates approximately $2.6 billion in this funding round of which approximately $2.35 billion will be made available for infrastructure projects. In addition, NTIA plans to award at least $150 million of the funding for Public Computer Center projects and at least $100 million for Sustainable Broadband Adoption projects.

The agencies will hold public workshops in the western half of the country in Portland, Reno, Denver, San Antonio, Eureka (MO), and Sioux Falls (SD). A complete list of public workshops and registration information can be found here.

The NOFAs are below:

BIP NOFA

BTOP NOFA

BTOP Fact Sheet

Press Release: FCC Proposals Risk Backsliding on Rural Broadband

wta — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:37:28 +0000

Today, WTA and OPASTCO released a statement urging the FCC to choose long-term solutions to ensure ubiquitous broadband availability in its National Broadband Plan. The press release can be viewed here.

WTA Submits Comments in Opposition to NCTA Petition for Rulemaking

wta — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 21:23:38 +0000

This afternoon, WTA submitted comments to the FCC in opposition to the National Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA) petition for rulemaking to restructure the Universal Service Fund. WTA’s comments recommend that the FCC “reject NCTA’s unwarranted and unsupported attempt to reduce the high-cost support of the small rural local exchange carriers who have been using it most efficiently and effectively to bring emerging broadband services to their rural customers.” The comments can be viewed here.

WTA Comments on Role of USF and ICC in the National Broadband Plan

wta — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:42:49 +0000

Role of USF and ICC in National Broadband Plan

WTA Files Comments with RUS/NTIA on Round II of Stimulus

wta — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:11:52 +0000

On November 30th, WTA filed comments in response to the Request for Information from NTIA and RUS regarding the BTOP and BIP grant and loan programs. The agencies are seeking information on possible adjustments to the programs as they move to Round II. WTA’s comments can be found here.

WTA, Allies File Comments on LSS Rule Change

wta — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:47:45 +0000

On November 24th, WTA joined NECA, OPASTCO, ERTA and NTCA is filing comments supporting the Equity in Switching Support Coalition’s petition on changing the LSS rules. The comments can be viewed here.

Boucher/Terry USF Reform Draft Bill Information

wta — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:44:27 +0000

Draft Bill Text

Section by Section Summary

Short Summary

WTA Encouraged by Release of Draft USF Legislation

wta — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:45:12 +0000

WTA Press Release