WASHINGTON, March 21, 2024 – FCC Chairman jessica rosenworcel The commission moved Wednesday to restart the program, originally adopted in 2020, due to improved mapping to bring 5G to areas that would not be served without subsidies.
If the proposed rule is enacted, 5G Fund for Rural America, allocating up to $9 billion in the early stages. Funding for the program typically comes from a combination of government spending, revenue from spectrum license auctions, and contributions from telecommunications companies participating in the program.
In addition to allocating $9 billion to expand voice and 5G mobile broadband services to rural areas, the relaunched 5G Fund will include Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) technology that is said to benefit It includes up to $900 million in incentives to accelerate the adoption of Competition, national security, and supply chain reliability.
A second report and order distributed Wednesday outlines various measures to strengthen the program, including amending eligibility criteria to ensure the inclusion of areas in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. There is.
Additionally, we are proposing an increase in the budget for Phase I of the 5G Fund Auction and the tribal reserve budget set aside to connect tribal communities.
It also requires recipients to have a cybersecurity and supply chain risk management plan as a condition of receiving assistance.
The auction relies on mobile coverage data obtained through Broadband Data Collection and reflected in the FCC’s National Broadband Map. Interested parties are encouraged to promptly file objections through this mechanism to ensure the accuracy of data regarding areas where 5G services are required.
Stakeholders call for a review of the 5G Fund
in one-sided communication In a report filed Monday, CTIA emphasized the value of scheduling 5G funding auctions after final funding decisions are made in the Broadband Access, Equity, and Deployment “BEAD” program. This approach allows the FCC to incorporate important development information that could impact the scope of his 5G Fund.
“While BEAD will not directly fund mobile broadband deployment, it will likely result in the deployment of fiber broadband backhaul facilities and fixed wireless services, facilitating the expansion of 5G coverage in rural areas. ”, one side said.
CTIA said imposing overly prescriptive cybersecurity conditions and Open RAN obligations could increase cost and complexity and discourage participation from smaller providers seeking to connect to hard-to-serve areas of the country. I was warned that there would be.
Instead, CTIA may offer voluntary post-auction incentives such as additional funding, construction deadline flexibility, and technical assistance, depending on factors such as funding sources, Open RAN version, eligibility criteria, and associated terms and requirements. proposed. .
CTIA also stated that certain aspects require further consideration and asked the Commission to open an opportunity for additional public comment.
of Open RAN Policy Coalition We echoed CTIA’s sentiments and emphasized the importance of post-auction incentives to encourage Open RAN adoption.
By providing these incentives, such as additional funding for various stages of construction, flexibility to meet construction requirements, and technical assistance, the Coalition will help successful bidders select open RAN solutions that align with the Commission’s goals. I think it will be. 5G Fund.
Competitive Carrier Association defended the FCC Increase qualification standards to at least 35/3 Mbps, consistent with global benchmarks, previous FCC precedent, and management goals.
CCA emphasized the importance of using accurate mobile mapping data and a robust challenge process before proceeding with the 5G Fund auction.
The CCA also cautioned against moving forward with the $9 billion budget without adequate justification and up-to-date analysis, and emphasized the need to right-size the 5G Fund to maximize impact.
The CCA expects the Commission to avoid the duplicative challenges encountered in previous funding initiatives, primarily the Mobility Fund I process.
Additionally, local mobile providers are asking the FCC to reconsider the proposed reverse auction funding model for future 5G funds.
Rural Radio Association We had multiple discussions with the FCC. Officials expressed deep concerns about the reverse auction model. In this system, providers compete based on their cost structure for coverage areas that meet the minimum required speeds specified by the 5G Fund.
However, RWA stresses that areas currently served by carriers benefiting from traditional funding programs such as the Mobility Fund may also be subject to auction. Therefore, if these carriers lose money through auctions, their ability to maintain their infrastructure may be jeopardized and other regions that rely on their networks may become unserved.
