April 8, 2022

Senators Fischer and Cortez Masto Push for Mapping Updates

Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), members of the Senate Commerce Committee, sent letters to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and other relevant agencies requesting an update on progress in coordinating the creation of the Deployment Locations Map. Last year, they secured the inclusion of a NATE-endorsed amendment in the infrastructure bill that required the FCC to consult with relevant federal agencies to develop the Deployment Locations Map.

The goal of the mapping tool is to enhance transparency, maximize responsible use of federal dollars among different agencies and avoid network overbuilding – ensuring funding reaches as many households as possible that need Internet connectivity.

The full letter can be read here.

NATE Member Selected to Serve on FCC Precision Ag Group

Jason Miller of Tillman Infrastructure has been appointed to serve on the Precision Ag Task Force Working Group on Examining Current and Future Connectivity Demand for Precision Agriculture. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced appointments of Working Group members to serve on the Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States (Precision Ag Task Force).

Read more here.

Ukraine: Who Keeps the Internet Running While Russian Bombs Fall?

This article highlights the important work that tower techs do to ensure that Ukrainians have access to vital communications. Former FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai tweeted the article and NATE has also tweeted it. It would be good for your social media to post these and remind your connections about the important work that your industry does every day! We all know that people can take it for granted, and I think these reminders are worth sharing.

House Energy and Committee Holds FCC Oversight Hearing

On March 31, the Communications and Technology Subcommittee will held a hearing on oversight of the FCC. An oversight hearing is a chance for Congress to call federal agencies before congressional committees and ask questions about how the current administration is implementing policy and using taxpayer money. The 4 FCC Commissioners – Chairwoman Rosenworcel and Commissioners Carr, Starks, and Simington – all participated in the hearing.

Key Takeaways:

· While bipartisanship seems to be dead most of the time in D.C., there was
  wide-ranging support for increased spectrum coordination between the FCC
  and other agencies. Commissioner Carr spoke forcefully, defending the FCC’s
  expertise and leadership, about spectrum and highlighted his concerns with
  the Department of Transportation’s efforts to slow down the 5G rollout.
  Chairwoman Rosenworcel was more subdued in her defense of the FCC, but
  she pledged several times to ensure that the federal government is closely
  coordinated on future spectrum auctions and rollouts.

· Ranking Member Bob Latta (R-OH) called upon the federal government to not
  pick winners and losers in broadband funding. He has been supportive of a
  technology-neutral approach to broadband infrastructure.

· Commissioner Carr called upon members of Congress to combat waste, fraud,
  and abuse in broadband funding. He said that the failure to do so would
  negatively impact unserved and rural communities.

· Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX) spoke about her NATE-endorsed
  legislation that would provide funding for local permitting offices that would
  help them speed up broadband permitting.

Chairwoman Rosenworcel told lawmakers that new agency broadband coverage maps will be ready this fall. The maps are key to NTIA’s distribution of $42.5 billion in broadband infrastructure grants because the states cannot create their broadband plans without updated maps.

Chairwoman Rosenworcel Announces Staff Changes

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced additions to her leadership team. Narda Jones will return to the FCC and assume the role of Chief of Staff and Priscilla Delgado Argeris will serve as Chief Legal Advisor.

NATE has worked with Ms. Jones in her previous roles in the United States Senate and looks forward to continuing to build a positive relationship.

ICYMI: OSHA Safe + Sound Week – August 15-21

From OSHA: Mark your calendars! Safe + Sound Week will take place from August 15-21, 2022. Safe + Sound Week is a nationwide event held each August that recognizes the successes of workplace health and safety programs and offers information and ideas on how to keep America's workers safe. Registration for Safe + Sound Week opens in early July. The Save the Date is available to download in both English and Spanish. We look forward to your participation!

Mississippi Community College Awarded Telecom Training Grant

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) has been awarded $1.7 million through AccelerateMS to address a workforce shortage in the areas of telecommunications tower antenna and line installers and electrical power-line installers. The Telecommunication Tower Antenna and Line Installers workforce training will be at the MGCCC West Harrison County Center in Long Beach. 

Read more here.

NATE Welcomes Advancement of Spectrum Coordination Act

NATE endorsed the Spectrum Coordination Act, which would require NTIA and FCC to update their memorandum of understanding (MOU) on spectrum coordination that has been in place since January 2003.

Read more here.

Congresswoman Stefanik Fights New York State Broadband Restrictions

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik led the New York Republican delegation in sending a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul calling on her to remove the state fiber fee preventing broadband buildout throughout the state in the final New York State budget.

In October, Stefanik led a letter to the FCC calling attention to the fact that New York State’s practice prevents broadband buildout in the state and requested the FCC investigate and preempt New York State’s practice preventing broadband buildout in the state by imposing fees in violation of federal law.

NATE and Family Business Coalition Fighting Tax Proposal in Pres. Biden’s Budget

President Biden released his FY2023 budget which relies heavily on a new tax on unrealized capital gains, an idea that has been proposed in different iterations and pushed hard by Senate Finance Chairman Wyden during this administration. Notably, this new version is dubbed as a “minimum tax” similar to the corporate “minimum tax” that passed in the House’s Build Back Better bill last year.

Any tax on unrealized gains could eventually pose big problems for family businesses. NATE and our coalition partners at the Family Business Coalition sent this letter to President Biden, opposing his budget request.

Federal Aviation Gets Interim Administrator

On March 27, FAA announced that Billy Nolen has been appointed to serve as acting FAA Administrator after FAA Administrator Steve Dickson departs at the end of March. FAA also stated that Deputy Administrator Bradley Mims will take on an expanded role during this interim period, focusing on the FAA’s workforce and the nation’s airports. The press release is available here.