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Rural Health
News by Topic: Broadband

Dec 1, 2020 - Notice from the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) announcing a public meeting of the FirstNet Authority Board and Board Committees on September 9, 2020 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Eastern. Agenda items are being finalized and will be published on the FirstNet Authority website.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 25, 2020 - Notice of final rule from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) establishing the 5G Fund for Rural America as a replacement for the Mobility Fund Phase II and adopting the basic framework for implementing the 5G Fund. The 5G Fund for Rural America will retarget universal service funding for mobile broadband and voice in the high-cost program to support the deployment of 5G services. This rule is effective December 28, 2020.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 24, 2020 - The Federal Communications Commission is extending the comment period for an information collection regarding the actual speeds and performance of fixed and mobile broadband connections as part of the Measuring Broadband America Program. Comments on the information collection are due by December 24, 2020.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 19, 2020 - Blog from the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) celebrates National Rural Health Day and highlights the positive things that are taking place in rural health. Features innovative efforts by states to bolster telehealth access during the COVID-19 pandemic and address rural hospital closures.
Source: National Conference of State Legislatures
Nov 19, 2020 - Notice from the Federal Communications Commission announcing a virtual public meeting of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee on December 17, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern. Agenda items include the consideration and vote on a report and recommendation from the Increasing Broadband Investment in Low-Income Communities working group.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 19, 2020 - The United States Department of Agriculture is seeking comments on an information collection related to forms for Rural Utilities Service (RUS) borrowers to use when entering into contracts for goods or services. Comments are due by December 21, 2020.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 16, 2020 - The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Wireline Competition Bureau announced that funding through the Connect USVI Fund Stage 2 Competitive Process will provide fixed broadband service to all locations in the U.S. Virgin Islands. $84.5 million over ten years will bring 1 Gbps service to 46,039 locations, ensuring all homes and businesses have reliable broadband.
Source: Federal Communications Commission
Nov 12, 2020 - The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Office of Economics and Analytics released data showing that the digital divide is closing, with the number of rural Americans living in areas with 250/25 Mbps broadband service increasing by 268 percent. Discusses how Phase I of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund auction will continue to expand broadband access across rural America.
Source: Federal Communications Commission
Nov 12, 2020 - The Federal Communications Commission will hold a virtual public meeting of the Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council on December 9, 2020. Questions arising during the meeting should be sent to CSRIC@fcc.gov and will be answered at a later date.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 5, 2020 - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that the Connected Care Pilot Program application window will be open November 6 – December 7, 2020. Healthcare provider sites already deemed eligible to participate in FCC's Rural Health Care Program or COVID-19 Telehealth Program are also eligible to participate in the Pilot Program, which will provide up to $100 million over a three-year period to support connected care services.
Source: Federal Communications Commission