As of June 19th, AT&T has released state plans for implementation of the FirstNet emergency network. Each state’s governor can either “opt-in” or “opt-out” for this state-wide safety plan before the deadline in mid-December.
Spring 2017 Updates to Center’s Broadband Maps
All Spring 2017 broadband coverage and speed updates submitted to the Center’s mapping team have been updated in the residential and commercial broadband map webapps. Thank you to everybody who participated, the success of these maps is dependent on broadband providers sharing updates on the services that they provide — services that consistently put Utah at the top of broadband availability rankings. Continue reading
April 2017 Map of the Month: ‘Where For’ locate.utah.gov
Locate.utah.gov heat maps at 2 scale levels (July 16 – April 17)
In May of 2015, the Broadband Outreach Center first launched the Utah Economic Development map (locate.utah.gov). This web map application allows companies and site selectors to interactively explore Utah from a vantage point of what’s important to business regarding available infrastructure and quality of life. Spoiler Alert: Version 2 of this site is expected to roll out next month. With this in mind, we thought a look at how the current site is being used would make for a good base line and broadband map of the month.
FCC Seeks Comment on Barriers to Infrastructure Investment
The Federal 
Communications Commission (FCC) recently released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Notice of Inquiry, and Request for Comment that would propose to remove regulatory barriers to wireline infrastructure investment, as well as a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Notice of Inquiry that commences an examination of the regulatory impediments to wireless network infrastructure investment and deployment. Continue reading
FirstNet Selects AT&T as Network Partner
On March 30, 2017, the Department of Commerce and First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) announced the selection of AT&T to build the first nationwide wireless broadband network dedicated to America’s first responders.
FCC Announces Membership of BDAC
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai has appointed members to serve on the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee (BDAC). Elizabeth Pierce, Chief Executive Officer of Quintillion Subsea Operations, LLC, and Quintillion Networks, LLC (Quintillion), to serve as Chair of the BDAC, and Kelleigh Cole, Director of the Utah Broadband Outreach Center in the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development, to serve as Vice Chair. Former Utah Congressman Jim Matheson has also been appointed to serve on the committee.
Utah State Legislature Passes USF Reform Bill
During the 2017 General Session, the Utah State Legislature passed Senate Bill 130, Universal Service Fund Amendments. Continue reading
FCC Seeks Comment on Mobility Fund CAF Reforms
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking comment on the parameters for the process in determining whether areas are eligible for funding under the Mobility Fund Phase II.
Senator Hatch Introduces Broadband Highway Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C.—This week, Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), along with Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Deb Fischer (R-NE), introduced the Highway Rights-of-Way Permitting Efficiency Act of 2017, a bill that will streamline broadband permitting in existing highway rights-of-way for broadband infrastructure projects.
March 2017 Map of the Month: Utah’s Local, Special Service, and Redevelopment Districts
Click to open map of the month: tax entities density
Local and special service districts are an important user constituency for broadband services. In addition to broadband use at district headquarters, many are also dependent on broadband for field and infrastructure operations.
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